The integration of asylum seekers and refugees in the labour market, a Belgian Case Study

Right to work for asylum seekers in Belgium

Since Novembre 2015 asylum seekers who have asked for asylum in Belgium since at least 4 months (without receiving a negative answer at first level and whose decision is still pending) have the right to ask for a work permit. They had to wait for 6 months before Novembre. The work permit is delivered by the regional authorities. 

This work permit allow them to seek work and work as an employee under a limited or unlimited contract or interim contracts in all Belgium's regions. This work permit also allow asylum seekers to register as a person seeking employment in regional public employment agencies and benefit from their services (access vocational trainings among others). 

When they are housed in public reception centres and are working, asylum seekers may be ask to contribute financially to their housing cost (if the working contract is stable and provides sufficient earnings -which is quite rare in practice). Refugees are dispensed from work permit when they are granted refugee status. 

Asylum seekers in Belgium also have the right to exercice volunteering activities and receive compensation for those activities (no work permit is needed to volunteer of course). 

The Long and Winding Road to Employment
An academic study (The Long and Winding Road to Employment. An analysis of the Labour Market Careers of Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Belgium) published in 2014 by the KUL (Katoliek Universiteit van Leuven) and ULB (Université Libre de Bruxelles) has shown that allowing asylum seekers to work during refugee status determination procedure increased and accelerated later integration in the job market (p.130): 

Make them work for free: Italy's interior minister supports forced labour for asylum seekers?

In an article from Africa Time, dated 12 May 2015, called 'Make them work for free' it is possible to read that Italian Interior's ministry has recently declared that asylum seekers should be made to work for free on projects of public interest while waiting for their refugee status, evoking a controversial decree issued several months ago. 

The author of this blog advocates for the right to work of asylum seekers to be legally granted as soon as possible after the lodging of their asylum claim. It facilitates their integration in the labour market once they are recognized refugee, or their return (with the money and experience earned in the host country). But we condemn any policy that would force asylum seekers to work for free as it amounts to forced labour that contradicts international human rights and labour law. Between 1983 and 1990 German authorities have conditioned the material support of asylum seekers to the acceptation of jobs, provoking adamant condemnations of the International Labour Organisation. 

Join Asylum Access Refugee work Rights Coalition, fill in their Survey!

Asylum Access is conducting a survey on the right to work of refugees and asylum seekers and is initiating the Refugee work Rights Coalition. We invite all individuals and organisations active on this topic to fill in Asylum Access' questionnaire and to join the Coalition. 
Who should fill out the survey?  Academics, service providers and those generally familiar with the refugee population in their area of residence are invited to answer this short survey. 

Why you should join the Coalition? NGOs, academics, advocates and service providers committed to advocating for and facilitating access to safe, lawful employment for refugees are welcome to join this international forum. Together we can put this issue on the agenda, make informed recommendations, and help refugees access their right to work around the world. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be a part of this discussion.

Interested in being a part of the movement? Sign up for updates and meeting notices by joining the Refugee Work Rights Coalition Google group.To obtain more information on Asylum Access campaign and survey: click here. To fill in Asylum Access survey on the right to work in English (click here) or in Spanish (click here)