Klik om het opmaakprofiel van de modelondertitel te bewerken Living and Working in Belgium Torino 09-10/10/ Annie Vanseveren, Eures Advisor Gent (B)

Belgium… the of Europe

Belgium: Some Facts  A federal state km2 (Kingdom)  Population: +/ inhabitants  A multicultural society (> 8% of residents are foreign nationals)  Brussels is the capital: officially recognised as the capital of Europe and the home of the key political and decision-making institutions of the EU  3 Communities: Flemish, French and German (each with own political institutions and administration)  3 Regions: Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels-Capital Region  3 Official languages: Dutch, French and German

Brussels Languages: Dutch, French, German Population: Wallonia Flanders

MAIN TOWNS

Typical Belgian

Regional Employment Services VDAB FOREM ACTIR IS e AD G g.be

Unemployment Rates *  E.E.A.: 9,6%  Belgium: 11,2% **  Brussels Region: 20,6%  Flanders: 7,43%  Wallonia: 15,8% ( Eurostat – RVA/ONEM ) (august 2008: )  Shortage of qualified workers  Surplus of unqualified workers * % of active population ** compensated unemployed persons

The Belgian Labour Market (1)  Most relevant sectors  Services 72 %  Industry 26.3%  Agriculture 1.7%  Major (exporting) industries - Chemical sector - Car assembly - Metallurgical industry  Number of Bankcrupties: (sectors: horeca, construction, retail trade, transport)

The Belgian Labour Market (2)  Active population: - Active (working) population: Employment rate = 61,8%  Average Minimum Wage: October y ears 1.387,49 Euro gross/month 21,5 years 1.424,31 “ 22 years 1.440,67 “ (Ref. sdworx)

Some Characteristics  Difference in contracts “labourers/workers” and “employees” !!  Different languages in Belgium (Dutch, French, German)  Regulation of annual vacation days (based on prestations of the previous year)

Labour Shortages (1) The professions suffering from a labour shortage vary from region to region Most wanted:  Engineers  Business consultants/Project leaders  Nurses, geriatric helpers…  IT- Specialists  Plumbers / Welders  Truck drivers Licence C/E  Technicians (electricians, mechanics….)

Labour Shortages (2) The main sectors suffering from a labour shortage  Public Transport (train, tram, bus)  Sales and Distribution  Non Profit (health care)  Construction  Computer & Technology  Energy  Call Centres  Food Industry  Education  Seasonal jobs (fruit picking….)

Labour Surpluses  Fishermen  Unskilled workers  Low (un)skilled employees  Social profit sector workers

Career in the EU Institutions EPSO (The European Personnel Selection Office) Address: Info-Recruitment C-80 00/ Brussels Belgium Tel: + 32 (0) Languages: English, French, German Website:

Work Experience for Graduates at the EU Institutions To give young university graduates a taste of what working for the EU is like, the Institutions organise traineeships or "stages“ each lasting 3-5 months.  The European Parliament  The Council  The Commission  Court of Justice  The Social and Economic Committee  The Committee of the Regions  The European Ombudsman 

Useful Links

Thank you Dank U Merci DankeGrazie GraciasObrigado Tack Dzięki

Questions?