"We need urgent measures to get asylum seekers to work"
Some 57,000 refugees who found shelter in Belgium are still unemployed. It's important for their integration in Belgian society to land a job. The thing is that a majority - 3 in 4 - haven't got the right (or any) qualifications.
Moreover, access to the labour market is even more complicated due to special regulations concerning a working permit, integration courses, language skills and the recognition of degrees obtained at foreign schools or universities.
Itinera is now sounding the alarm: if we don't take action, we end up with a whole group in society that may get side-lined. Itinera is proposing wage subsidies, reducing the wage burden for employers, a higher minimum salary or subsidised apprenticeships.
The organisation of the self-employed Unizo confirms the problems, and estimates that it is up to the VDAB - the Flemish employment and vocational training service - to tackle the problem thoroughly. They think special apprenticeships are not necessary, as long as the people find their way to the VDAB.