News item | 04-03-2025 | 09:00
Undermining is a broad social problem. About the question of how to become more resilient against interference of criminals, the entrepreneurial dinner, where the government, entrepreneurs and knowledge institutions came together to discuss how criminals can be cut off. Research shows that 86% of the major criminal networks in Europe use legal business structures to gain access to markets, money laundering routes and sensitive information.
With initiatives such as the Warning Register Logistics Sector and the Safe Ondernemen Action Program, it is actively used for resilience and safety. Collaboration between companies, government and other parties is essential to structurally combat organized crime and thus guarantee a safe and honest economic environment.
Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel emphasized during this meeting:
“Criminals can only succeed with help from within. This requires consciousness with the government and business about vulnerabilities in processes and functions. By drawing together we can make companies more resilient against the increasing undermining crime.”
Undermining crime arises when criminals abuse legal structures, such as companies and government services, to perform illegal activities. This is done, for example, in the port sector, where criminal networks infiltrate transport and logistics to enable drug smuggling and other illegal trade. This undermines the safety and integrity of the economy and society.
In order to prevent criminal interference, the Criminal Changing Authority Justis will expand the application procedure for the Certificate of Behavior (VOG) on 3 March 2025 with a new risk area: location, specifically aimed at port areas. As a result, employers in the port sector can screen more targeted for criminal offenses that are relevant to functions within the port area. This should prevent people with a criminal background gaining access to vulnerable locations, such as container terminals and distribution centers. This measure takes an important step in tackling undermining and protecting the integrity of the port sector.