Support for proposal to allow refugees to work after four months

Refugees from a war zone, including many of those currently fleeing the conflict in Syria, should be allowed to work after being in Belgium for four months, federal labour minister Kris Peeters has proposed. The idea has received support from both unions and employers, said his office.

At present, asylum seekers may only work six months after being registered, but all sides now seem in favour of reducing the period for those fleeing war. At the request of social partners, Peeters has proposed conditions to prevent abuse of any new system.

Refugees would  have to be in possession of three documents: one showing the date of their registration in Belgium; a category C work permit usually given to asylum seekers; and a temporary residence permit issued by the municipality.

On Wednesday Peeters invited the members of the so-called Group of Ten – made up of employers and unions – to discuss the proposal and found broad support for reducing the waiting period. “Nothing would stop us from amending the procedure later if necessary,” said Jan Vercamst of the liberal union ACLVB. “The sooner refugees can gain access to the labour market, the sooner their process of integration can begin.”

Photo: Zerocreatives/Westend61/Corbis