The Belgian labor market has been struggling with a shortage of workers in various sectors for several years. From healthcare to technology and hospitality, the demand for qualified employees is greater than the supply. This poses challenges for companies and the broader economy. A possible solution to this shortage lies in attracting foreign workers, and more specifically, Filipino workers. In this article we discuss why Filipino workers can be interesting to tackle the tightness on the Belgian labor market, what advantages they offer, the possible disadvantages, and how they can legally come to Flanders to work.
A little background about the Philippines and the reason for the Filipino diaspora.
The Philippines is an island nation in Southeast Asia with more than 110 million inhabitants. The country has a rich culture, strong family values and a high level of education, especially in the areas of healthcare, technology and services. Despite these talents and a growing economy, the country has been struggling with structural problems for years, such as unemployment, low wages, very limited social mobility and a lack of stable job opportunities, especially outside the big cities. It is also a former American and Spanish colony. As a result, they have one of the most Westernized cultures in Asia and are also called the Latinos of Asia, which makes it easier for them to integrate abroad.
For these reasons, many Filipinos choose to work abroad. They are often referred to as OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers), and are a major economic force. It is estimated that more than 10 million Filipinos work abroad, spread across the world. They send tens of billions of dollars in remittances to their families each year, which plays a crucial role in the Philippine economy.
The Philippine government actively supports this labor migration through training, certification and bilateral labor agreements with other countries to ensure the rights and safety of Filipino workers abroad. These efforts make it easier for Filipinos to move abroad legally and well-prepared.
Why Attract Filipino Workers?
Filipino workers can make a valuable contribution to solving the labor shortage in Flanders for several reasons:
1. Good Education Level and Skills
The Philippines is known worldwide for its highly educated workforce, especially in sectors such as healthcare, technology, and engineering. Many Filipino workers have access to quality education and have the necessary skills to work in various sectors. In the healthcare sector, for example, Filipino nurses and healthcare professionals are highly sought after because of their expertise and solid education.
2. English Language Proficiency
English is one of the two official national languages. As a result, a large number of Filipino workers speak English fluently, which makes it easy for them to communicate in the workplace in Flanders as well.
3. Strong Work Ethic and Loyalty
Filipino workers are known for their hard work, dedication, and reliability. They are often motivated to do a good job and to commit themselves to their employer. This strong work ethic makes Filipinos valuable employees who not only adhere to the standards of their work, but are often willing to go the extra mile. Furthermore, many Filipino employees value stability and have a strong loyalty to their employer, resulting in lower turnover than other employees.
4. Caring
This is one of the most valued qualities of Filipino employees, especially in sectors such as elderly care, child care and healthcare in general. This caring stems from the strong family culture in the Philippines, where respect for elders, mutual help and caring for each other are deeply ingrained in daily life. Filipinos are naturally empathetic, patient and considerate, and bring that attitude to their workplace as well. This is also reflected in other service sectors such as hospitality.
5. Flexibility and eagerness to learn
Due to the many challenges in their own country, Filipino employees are able to adapt well to different work environments and cultures. This makes them particularly suitable for working in diverse environments, such as the multicultural society of Flanders. Because they often have to solve problems themselves with few resources, they have an ability to learn new skills quickly. They are a people who simply love to learn, whether it is learning new technologies, adapting to new roles or acquiring additional certifications.
6. Passion and Dedication
The passion and dedication of Filipino employees are characteristic traits that set them apart. They often have a strong motivation to excel in their work and show a lot of enthusiasm for their profession. This drive ensures that they not only perform their tasks well, but are also willing to go the extra mile to achieve success. This makes them particularly valuable to companies that want to invest in employees who are fully committed to their work.
What are the possible challenges
Although Filipino employees offer many advantages, there can also be some challenges. However, it is important to approach these challenges positively and look for solutions.
1. Cultural Adjustment
A possible disadvantage can be that some Filipino employees, although they speak good English, have to adapt to the Belgian culture and work ethic in the beginning. This can take some time, especially if they are coming to Flanders for the first time. However, this is a temporary process and many Filipinos have experience working abroad, which makes them well able to adapt quickly to new environments.
2. Language barriers
Although many Filipino workers speak English, the language can be a challenge, especially in positions where Dutch is required. This can be solved over time by offering language training, an investment that can be beneficial for both the employee and the employer. In fact, Dutch is one of the easiest languages to learn for someone who speaks English
3. Change of environment
Filipino workers, like any migrant, can initially struggle with the change of environment. They have to adjust to a new country, a new climate, and a new work culture. This can take some time, but with the right support from their employer and integration programs, this transition can be smooth.
Can you bring Filipino workers to Flanders?
Yes, it is possible to bring Filipino workers to Flanders to work, but this process involves a number of legal steps. Belgian law provides for different ways to bring migrant workers to Flanders, depending on the type of work and the qualifications of the worker.
Work permits and Visas
To bring a Filipino worker to Flanders, the employer must apply for a work permit. This can be done via one of the following routes:
- Highly qualified migrant workers: Workers with a high level of education and with can come to Flanders via the EU “blue card”.
- Work permit for shortage occupations: This is the standard route for non-EU citizens, such as Filipinos.
- Seasonal workers: For specific seasonal work, such as in agriculture or the hospitality industry, a shorter temporary work permit can be applied for. However, this does not apply to all types of work.
For which professions can Filipino workers be attracted?
Some of the most common sectors in which Filipinos can work are:
- Construction and manufacturing: Filipino workers have experience in various manufacturing and construction sectors, which makes them suitable for filling vacancies in these industries.
- Healthcare sector: Filipino nurses, caregivers and other healthcare professionals are highly sought after, due to their expertise and the high quality of their education. The demand for healthcare personnel is enormous in Flanders, especially due to the ageing population.
- ICT and technology: The demand for IT specialists and engineers is high in Flanders. The Philippines has a lot of experience in the technological sector and can contribute to filling vacancies in this sector.
- Hospitality and catering: Filipino employees are often attracted to the hospitality sector for their excellent customer service and flexibility.
How can you bring Filipino employees to Flanders?
First and foremost, it must be a bottleneck profession (unless you are looking for highly educated people for whom a salary and diploma minimum applies). In many cases, the employer must demonstrate that there are no suitable candidates from Flanders or the EU available for the vacancy.
You can then look with a local partner in Flanders to complete the Philippine administrative procedures, find a suitable candidate and arrange the correct documents. You can also do this yourself, but then you will have to work with both the Belgian, Philippine and local authorities and you will also have to work with a local agency in the Philippines.
Then you will have to apply for the correct work permit with the Belgian authorities. The local partner or employer will also have to arrange their visa and work permits, and it is important that they bring the necessary documents for the immigration procedures.
Once here, you will have to arrange for accommodation and integration.
How Long Can They Stay?
The duration of a Filipino worker’s stay in Flanders depends on the type of work permit. In most cases, a temporary work permit is issued for a period of one year, with the possibility of extension. For highly educated workers, the “blue card” can be extended for longer periods.
Conclusion
Filipino workers can offer a valuable solution to the tightness on the Belgian labor market. They bring an excellent work ethic, a good education, versatility, and a quick learning curve, which makes them attractive to Belgian employers. Although there may be some challenges, such as language barriers or cultural adaptation, these can often be resolved quickly. By taking advantage of these opportunities, Flanders can address its labor market shortage and benefit from the skills of Filipino migrant workers.