Myria, the federal migration centre, revealed in its recent publication that the Belgian labour market is witnessing a rise in the presence of migrant workers, even though it remains "one of the
tightest in Europe." The statistics, released on Tuesday, indicate a substantial increase in long-stay visas and combined permits (or 'single permits') granted to individuals from 'third countries' compared to the previous year. Consequently, Myria emphasizes the need for "more guarantees" to strengthen the rights of migrant workers.
Bottleneck Jobs
In 2022, Belgium issued a total of 8,098 long-stay visas for professional reasons to third-country nationals, with the majority arriving from India (23%), Turkey (15%), Morocco (6%), and Tunisia (5%). This represents a significant surge (+46%) compared to the previous year. Additionally, 19,724 single permits, valid for up to 90 days, were granted, marking a substantial increase of 75%.
Protecting Workers' Rights
Myria highlights that these permits are increasingly sought after by workers filling bottleneck jobs and those subject to labour market screening. The centre underscores the importance of providing additional guarantees for these workers, as third-country nationals are more susceptible to exploitation compared to EU citizens posted to work in Belgium. Strengthening legal protection for these workers is of urgent concern.
Challenges with Banking Services
Earlier this year, Myria reported that migrant workers were facing difficulties in opening basic bank accounts. Several individuals lodged complaints with Myria and equal opportunities centre Unia last year, expressing difficulties in opening accounts. The number of complaints has been increasing each year, from 11 in 2018 to 41 last year, with concerns that many cases go unreported. The refusal of basic banking services creates practical problems for workers who are unable to receive their salaries or pay bills. Margot De Vuyst, who coordinated the Myria report, pointed out that banks often refuse verbally, making it challenging to provide evidence of the refusal, despite it being against banking regulations. Photo by Phil Whitehouse, Wikimedia commons.