Interpreters in Belgian courts not paid for months

Interpreters in Belgian courts have not been paid by the justice ministry for months, according to the Professional Union of Sworn Translators and Interpreters (UPTIJ).

A spontaneous protest action by a dozen interpreters took place at the Encro trial - one of the biggest-ever drug trafficking cases in the country - last week and unions warn of the possibility of further strikes.

The verdict of the major trial was delayed as a result of the protest action, which took place following the announcement from the justice ministry of yet another delay in payments to translators and jury interpreters.

“It was too much for them – some colleagues have not been paid for two or three months,” said UPTIJ spokesman Henri Boghe.

“We work as freelancers and we obviously have to pay our bills. We’re hoping for talks with the justice minister, Paul Van Tigchelt. If this does not materialise or lead to a positive outcome, we will start planning structured actions in mid-November.”

The delays in payment have been going on for some time and the union worries that payments will not resume until next year.

Van Tigchelt (Open VLD) announced last week that a solution to the €23 million shortfall for 2024 had been found by reallocating some funds.

“We fear that this money will not be available until after the Christmas holidays,” Boghe said.

“However, our services are closed at that time. Payments will not resume until January 2025.”

UPTIJ stressed that interpreters are essential to fair justice. Without them, suspects speaking foreign languages cannot be questioned and defendants risk being acquitted on procedural grounds.