Three Brussels nail salons closed over human trafficking concerns

Three nail salons in the Galerie du Centre near the Grand-Place in Brussels are being forced to close for six months after federal police found undeclared workers and evidence of possible human trafficking from Vietnam.

The businesses in question are Paris Nails, Family Nails and Calinails, Bruzz reports, each of which challenged the City of Brussels' closure order, but were overruled.

Brussels federal police conducted a judicial investigation in the shopping arcade, which is home to many nail salons, between August 2023 and April 2024. They suspect a Vietnamese criminal network is operating in the gallery.

Serious evidence of economic exploitation and human trafficking came to light, with both women and men found to be working without documentation.

The police check revealed, among other things, that at least one employee received only €400 per month in cash as wages.

Hygiene and working conditions in the nail salons were also cited as concerns. The smell of the nail polish products is penetrating and there have already been complaints of eye and respiratory irritation.

Similar closures related to exploitation and human trafficking in the Galerie du Centre took place five years ago.