in Melun, zero tolerance for fraud by certain traders

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On Tuesday, November 26, the town hall of Melun (Seine-et-Marne), in collaboration with several partnersfollowed a targeted control operation in the rue René Pouteau. This initiative is part of a global strategy of fight against fraud and the illegal practices in the local shops. On the program: administrative checks, sanitary et social, especially in nail salonsidentified as sensitive. The town hall hopes for zero tolerance.

Nail salons under the microscope

In the courtyard of the town hall, around ten agents municipal police gather at the beginning of the afternoon. Their objective is to assist two agents of the Union for the recovery of social security contributions and family allowances, more commonly known as Urssaf.

Under the instructions of their superior, the police prepare to intervene in three businesses of rue René Pouteau. “We have fixed the intervention on three addresses, with a workforce distributed to secure controls“, explains a representative.

This device, honed by around ten similar operations this year, aims to surprise the targeted establishments. Thus, the three stores are controlled simultaneously to avoid any circumvention.

Nail salons, which are highly regulated, were chosen for this action. According to Eliana Valente, deputy mayor in charge of security, these businesses require particular vigilance. “We can mention the need to properly ventilate the premisesthe disinfection of equipment or even the holding a valid diploma to practice this type of activity,” she emphasizes.

The presence of Urssaf however, accentuates the question of hidden work in this type of business.

As soon as they enter the first store, a strong smell of chemicals hits the agents. After a thorough inspection of company and employee documents, no breach is not noted.

“It happens that the controls do not lead to no problem and it is a good thing. The objective is not to sanction at all costs, but to ensure that all nail salons are on track,” explains Eliana Valente.

Offenses revealed

In the second trade, the situation is more complex. An employee presents a Ivorian passportmore no permission to work in France. The Urssaf agent insistently inquires with the person in charge. “It’s a situation that may seem surprising. In France, it is possible to be a declared worker while being in an irregular situation“, explains Paul*, Urssaf agent.

He recalls that a declared employee, but in an irregular administrative situation, can regularize your situation at the end of two years of work via a file at the prefecture, but he remains an outlaw in the meantime.

In the third nail salon, the procedure becomes even more complicated. Of concealed work is identifiedwith two employees irregular situationone of which undeclared. “We can draw up significant finesranging from 8 000 euros for an employee in an illegal situation, up to 20 000 euros if it adds up to hidden work,” explains Paul.

However, it is not the irregular employee who is targeted. “The objective is for the bosses to declare all the employees. It is also up to them to ensure that their employees have work authorization,” continues Paul.

Alone a minor intern was then able to work at that time, forcing the store manager to lower the curtain while waiting to find staff.

But it could be thatanother sanctionadministrative this time, imposes the closure of the establishment over several weeks or even months.

Challenges to overcome

These controls are the example of the cooperation between the town hall and its partners. “The municipal police do not have the power to investigate, which is why we work with actors such as Urssaf, customs or the hygiene services,” explains Eliana Valente.

These alliances make it possible to multiply checkpointswhether it concerns alcohol sales licenses or health compliance.

However, this work remains demanding. THE human and material resources are sometimes insufficient, and some procedures may fail. The elected official insists: “We know our territory well enough to know thatthere are some who cheatbut we want send a clear signal. »

In Melun, you don't settle down without respecting the rules.

The various control operations also made it possible to send a message to local traders. “The word is spreading little by little. Some businesses are realizing that they have to be on point, because the risk of control increases“, assures the deputy mayor.

Operations like this are expected to increase in number in the future, with the aim fair competition and businesses complying with standards.

With strengthened determination and close collaboration between institutions, the city of Melun hopes to continue to clean up its commercial fabric and to restore economic justice for all its traders.

(* His first name has been changed to maintain his anonymity)

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