The business daily ‘De Tijd’ reports that labour migration to Flanders has surged to record levels. This is despite the Flemish Employment Minister Zuhal Demir (nationalist) introducing stricter limits on access to our region’s job market.
Data from the Flemish authorities shows a sharp rise in the number of work permits granted to non-EU nationals in recent years. This has occurred against the backdrop of one of the tightest labour markets in Europe, with persistent shortages in numerous sectors ranging from construction to care.
The Flemish Employment Minister has pushed through a package of reforms aimed at reining in labour migration from outside the EU. Under the new rules, low- and mid-skilled vacancies will be harder to fill with candidate from outside the EU.
Employers seeking to recruit abroad will first have to demonstrate that they have exhausted the local and EU labour markets before a non-EU will be granted a combined work and residence permit. Certain occupations that previously qualified for fast-track access, including lorry drivers, bakers and butchers, were removed from fast-track list early this year. This means that additional checks must be made and that candidates and firms have to wait longer.
Ms Demir’s office argues that with unemployment still above 200,000 and many vacancies unfilled, priority should be given to training and hiring local jobseekers and residents from Belgium’s other regions. High-skilled migrants will continue to benefit from fast-track procedures.
Employers concerned about labour shortages
Business groups and employers have criticised the restrictions, warning that they will exacerbate labour shortages and weaken economic growth.
They argue that foreign workers play an essential role across our economy and that overly strict policies risk driving firms to use short-term posting arrangements, which offer less oversight and less protection to employees.