Asylum seekers have to deal with a labor shortage within construction companies | Work

The construction sector is struggling with a gap of 20,000 jobs that must be filled to accommodate the many construction and renovation plans in Belgium. The new cooperation agreement must ensure that asylum seekers can be engaged by construction companies on a large scale. It starts with a first pilot project at Louis De Waele. This is followed by pilot projects in Flanders and Wallonia, before expanding to the entire construction sector. 50 construction companies have already announced that they are requesting the deployment of asylum seekers.

According to the parties involved, the cooperation is a win-win situation in which the asylum seekers are given the opportunity of training, work and self-development. At the same time, the shortage on the construction labor market can be filled in. Asylum seekers are allowed to work from four months after they have submitted their asylum application and this as long as their asylum procedure is ongoing.

“Through this collaboration, we want to involve as many construction companies as possible in the recruitment and training of asylum seekers. We are convinced that they will find the necessary levers in the construction sector to quickly find a place in the labor market”, says Constructiv chairman Gianni De Vlaminck on behalf of the social partners.

An ethical charter has been included in the cooperation agreement, so that undeclared work and irregularities are prevented. All companies must comply with social legislation and must pay asylum seekers the same wage as any other employee.

“We follow a philosophy in which we believe that every asylum seeker who can work is thereby strengthened as a person and can contribute to society. A society that receives and welcomes them and to which they can give something back,” says Mahdi.

Fedasil director Michael Kegels agrees. “We must avoid that they are inactive in the asylum centers for a year and a half. Living there without self-development or without being able to provide for one’s own wages has an impact on mental well-being,” says Kegels.

The construction companies will reach the asylum seekers interested in a job in the construction industry through an information and awareness campaign, job days and information sessions that the construction companies give in the various asylum centers. Those who want to work are screened on the basis of education, qualifications, language level and driving licence. Afterwards, the persons are oriented to a job where they can directly enter or they receive training at the employment services.