Ombudsman probing Govt,s payment habits

The National Ombudsman is launching an inquiry into Government's dubious payment habits. Ombudsman Alex Brenninkmeijer said on his website that while it is a legal requirement that invoices are paid within 30 days, Government is among the debtors who often don't pay in time, according to a report by the association of Credit Management Companies.

As of today companies that experience this may file their complaints at a special window at the office of Ombudsman Alex Brenninkmeijer. The service is especially aimed at small companies that are helpless against a defaulting Government and often find themselves placed on hold.

"Think of the small florist who takes care of the flower arrangement on the Minister's desk every week, but doesn't get his money," Brenninkmeijer told De Telegraaf daily.

The Ombudsman said there are signals of this happening a lot, but the complaints often do not come from the business people. "That's not in their nature. Their nature is to carry on without bitching too much. And in these days of economic challenges, they also fear that they might lose clients if it becomes known that they filed complains,” he said.

Brenninkmeijer said that as per March this year, a new law took effect that requires debtors to pay invoices within 30 days; if this does not happen, the creditor may claim collection costs plus interest. “Businessmen hardly make use of this instrument, because they do not want to damage their relationship with their client,” the Ombudsman said.

The window for duped businessmen is available on his website www.nationaleombudsman.nl/meldpunt-ondernemers