France’s justice ministry has promised to take action after an investigation leaked in the press found it had hired more than 40,000 undeclared casual workers, reports The Guardian.
The 2014 report, obtained by the satirical weekly Le Canard Enchaîné, found that 50,000 “occasional public service workers” had not been hired on proper terms, meaning contributions to France’s welfare system or value-added tax (VAT) were not paid.
The justice ministry hired 40,500, according to the probe carried out by inspectors of the finance, judicial and social services departments.
The workers included interpreters, experts and social helpers, who are often employed on a daily basis and paid by the hour.
“The ministry of justice applies no requirement for social security contributions” for these casual workers, the report said.
Instead, “remuneration is treated as payment for work by external suppliers, yet no steps are taken to apply VAT”.
The document said the practice was longstanding.
If a class action lawsuit was launched, the cost taxpayers about €500,000 (US$600m), it said.