The federal energy ombudsman service has been overwhelmed with complaints. Last year, no less than 36.9 percent more complaints were submitted than in 2020. Last weekend, the service even received 500 complaints in one weekend.
Van der Straeten wants to intervene, especially when it comes to permanent contracts. “There are indeed suppliers who find a loophole here and there to get rid of those permanent contracts,” she says in our newspaper this weekend.
That is why the Green Minister calls on all energy suppliers together in her cabinet to put an end to abuses. “I’m really sick of it, huh. Suppliers send a letter and it turns out to be wrong. What do they say then: ‘Ah oh sorry, communication error, anyone can contact us.’ Oh no! If you make a mistake, you correct it yourself.”