While the list opens the door to new job opportunities, it also calls into question the challenges of language barriers and integration.
With the recent expansion of the shortage occupation list from 22 to 29 positions, companies can now more easily attract Turks, Moroccans and other non-EU citizens to Flanders to fill these shortages. While this decision opens the door to new job opportunities, it also calls into question the challenges of language barriers and integration.
The Minister of Labor updates the bottleneck professions list, with positions for which there is a structural shortage of workers. This year there has been a significant expansion of the list, which could be a sign of a shifting labor market and the need to meet the increasing demands of different sectors.
The Mechelen company Buses Cannaerts provides an example of how companies can benefit from the new regulations. According to the Gazet van Antwerpen, the company has: two Turkish drivers to Belgium to address the shortage of bus drivers. Although the new employees initially communicate using Google Translate, there are plans to have them learn Dutch.
In contrast to the positive stories, the public transport company De Lijn indicates that it does not intend to hire non-EU citizens due to language barriers. “Our drivers must speak Dutch,” says Marco Demerling, spokesperson for De Lijn. This highlights the need to find tailor-made solutions for different sectors and companies.
Earlier, the National Group of Companies with Taxi and Location Vehicles with Chauffeur (GTL), the interest group representing the taxi industry, issued a call about a growing shortage of taxi drivers.
According to GTL, the cause of this is the language requirement that the Flemish Government sets for taxi drivers. The organization predicts a 'social and economic carnage' if 8000 Flemish taxi drivers cannot prove that they have mastered the Dutch language at B2024 level by July 1.
GTL extension points out that the high language requirements, which apply to both employees and self-employed drivers, form a barrier to new entry into the sector. Half of the active taxi drivers in Flanders are self-employed who often work for platforms such as Uber and Bolt. They will also have to take an oral and written exam at B1 level, otherwise their driver's pass will be revoked. GTL calls on Jo Brouns, Flemish Minister of Economy, Lydia Peeters, Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works and Ben Weyts, Flemish Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Education, Sport, Animal Welfare and Flemish Rand. They urge them to consider sector-specific language requirements and courses for the taxi driver profession.
bottleneck list
New positions on the list include drilling and piling operators, refrigeration technicians, and construction calculators. Interestingly, certain positions, such as chef and data communications works installer, have been removed from the list. This shows that the list is a dynamic instrument that adapts to the changing needs of the labor market.
The extensive shortage occupation list can be seen as a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it offers companies an instrument to tackle bottlenecks in the labor market. On the other hand, it brings challenges, such as language barriers and integration issues. How these challenges are addressed will ultimately determine whether this policy change can be considered a success.
