A new report by the Institute for the Equality of Women and Men says that practical obstacles and discrimination continue to limit job opportunities for women from countries outside the EU that are seeking work in Belgium.
Only just under half (49%) of women of working age from outside the EU that live in Belgium have jobs. This compares with an employment rate of 75% for Belgian women.
Measurable factors such as academic attainment account for around a third of the difference in the employment rate between women from non-EU countries and Belgian women. However, the raining two-thirds remains unaccounted for, suggesting deeper systemic issues.
Language and qualifications
Proficiency in one or more of Belgium’s languages is cited as a big hurdle. Employers often demand high levels of proficiency in Dutch and/or French, even for jobs where the working language is English. While many women that have come here from abroad are eager to learn our language(s), financial pressures and family responsibilities make attending classes difficult.
Meanwhile, the recognition of qualifications obtained outside the EU and work experience also pose challenges. Belgium’s tightly regulated labour market often requires formally recognised academic and vocational qualification. While temporary employment through an employment agency or informal employment may provide a stopgap solution, it rarely leads to career progression.
Discrimination
Discrimination remains an issue for job applicants with non-EU backgrounds. Audit studies have revealed that job applicants with non-EU backgrounds are less likely to be invited for a job interview even if they have the same level of qualifications as other applicants.
Traditional family roles, limited childcare options and precarious employment conditions also restrict labour participation. Women from outside the EU tend to enter the workforce later, work part-time more often and on average earn lower wages than other women.
The report calls for a number of messages to help get more women from outside the EU into work. These include strengthening language education, simplifying the procedures for the recognition of foreign qualifications, expanding the availability of affordable childcare and encouraging flexible working arrangements. The report also calls on employers to actively combat bias and adopt more inclusive recruitment practices.