Didier Gamerdinger talks about undeclared employment at Junior Chamber International breakfast discussion

Didier Gamerdinger, members of the Jeune Chambre Economique and partners.

From left to right: Luca SASSI, Directeur de EFG, Francesca FRANCO, secrétaire de Direction de EFG, Olivier MURA, conseiller commercial chez My WAY, Didier GAMERDINGER, Conseiller de Gouvernement-Ministre des Affaires Sociales et de la Santé, Mélissa BONELLO, fondatrice de Horizon Marketing Services et assistante de direction chez Riviera Néon, Daniel CAVASSINO, Directeur d'AzurTech, Eléonore DEJANOVIC, Nicolas DEVARS, Directeur de Monaco Informatique Services.

Copyright: © Manuel Vitali / Direction de la Communication

In his opening remarks, Mr Gamerdinger reiterated that undeclared employment was a breach of the rules: “Everyone loses: employees, employers who abide by the rules, social security funds, and the State. The Government’s message is clear and firm: undeclared employment has no place in the Principality.”

Checks were carried out on nearly 1,400 individuals over the summer, primarily in the construction and hospitality sectors, by the Labour Inspectorate, working closely with the Police Department and taking a calm approach. If required, these are supplemented by checks carried out by the Hygiene and Food Safety Office. In addition, a new tool which will simplify the checks carried out by the State in the construction sector has recently been introduced with the release of a professional identity card for the industry.

In effect, any violation results in immediate exclusion from the construction site. The case is then submitted to the Public Prosecution Department. The penalty – which is imposed on the employer, never the employee – can be as much as a €9,000 fine in the case of a second offence.

In conclusion, the Minister reiterated that an undeclared employee, who has no social security cover and is not insured in the event of an accident at work, is in an extremely precarious situation. Before answering questions from those who attended, he noted: “The Government is taking an ambitious, significant and methodical approach, and intends to continue to carry out its checks.”

There are 56,000 private sector employees in the Principality, compared with 35,000 residents. This is another reason why the State is particularly keen to ensure that everyone abides by the rules.