Danny,
You are the one mixing things up! Labor law has nothing to do with taxation. The Italians can force FR to follow Italian labor eg maternity leave, duty times... BUT the can NOT change European social security regulations nor foreign tax matters.
I didn't recieve any advice from FR/brookfield but paid international advisors who are experts on the matter.
If eg a Belgian resident works on a FR contract in Rome, he can continue to pay his social security in Ireland for another 10 years according to EU 465/2012. He will pay his taxes in Ireland till the Irish-Belgian tax treay changes. Nothing the Italians can do.
The umbrella septup is dodgy, but there again it is the taxman from your country of residence who has the authority.
If the guy works via Brookfield the Belgian taxman can sue him for fake self employment, but once again nothing the Italians can do.
Of course the story is totally different for Italian residents, they could indeed be in big trouble very soon.
Last edited by sarah737; 6th Oct 2012 at 20:07.