Belgium announces major changes to immigration policy for foreign workers, effective May 1

Come May 1, 2024, Flanders Region in Belgium to Implement New Immigration Policies

The Flanders Region in Belgium is set to roll out significant changes to its immigration policy, particularly concerning foreign workers, starting from May 1, 2024. These changes prioritize Belgian and European employees, allowing the entry of foreign nationals into the workforce only after careful consideration of local and regional labor markets.

Upholding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The revamped policies aim to uphold the government’s concentric model of labor migration, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. The SDGs emphasize the importance of promoting decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) and reducing inequalities (SDG 10) among nations.

Key Changes in Immigration Policies

The new immigration policies include several important adjustments to promote sustainable development and ensure the effective utilization of the labor force in the Flanders Region:

1. Expansion of work permit exemptions:
• Participation in conferences, seminars, business meetings, trade fairs, and exhibitions
• Negotiation of business agreements
• Involvement in sales, marketing, internal, and customer audits
• Exploration of business opportunities
• Attendance or conduct of training sessions
• Activities related to tourism
• Translation and interpretation services
2. Stricter rules for skilled shortage occupations:
• Employers hiring individuals for medium-skilled shortage occupations must provide documentation of skills, experience, and qualifications, assessed by the Regional Employment Ministry.
• Job vacancies for shortage occupations must be published for a minimum of nine weeks within the four months preceding the application, appearing on both the EURES and VDAB websites.
3. Simplified process for EU Blue Card holders in the IT sector:
• EU Blue Card applicants with managerial or specialist roles can substitute academic credentials with at least three years of relevant professional experience gained within the past seven years.
• EU Blue Card holders can easily change employers within the first 12 months with notification to the Regional Employment Ministry. After this period, changing employers becomes even simpler, with no immigration formalities required, provided minimum salary criteria are met.
4. Increased salary requirement for obtaining an EU Blue Card:
• The salary requirement for an EU Blue Card has been increased to 130% of the average income, equating to an annual taxable salary of EUR 60,621 for 2024.

These modifications, along with other minor adjustments such as streamlining the hiring of seasonal workers and updating medium-skilled shortage occupation lists more regularly, aim to streamline the immigration process while ensuring the effective utilization of the labor force in the Flanders Region of Belgium.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Under SDG 8, the specific target is 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers.
• Under SDG 10, the specific targets are 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status, and 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
• Under SDG 16, the specific target is 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

No indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: m.economictimes.com

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