Municipalities in Flanders still have a long way to go in fighting discrimination in the housing and labour market, according to analyses instigated by Minister Bart Somers (Open VLD), De Standaard reports.
A series of tests used fictitious job applications or registrations for rental properties tested whether people with a foreign name, ethnicity or handicap are treated differently to those with a Flemish name and background.
Nine municipalities in Flanders conducted the tests, mostly on the housing market; two also surveyed the labour market. The municipalities spanned cities such as Antwerp, Ghent, Leuven or Bruges, and less built up municipalities in Limburg, in particular Maasmechelen, Beringen and Houthalen-Helchteren. Except for Ghent, the tests date from the period 2020-2022.
The results show that in the Flemish housing market, a non-Flemish name and a physical handicap are used as reasons to turn down an applicant for a rental property. In the labour market, people with a non-Flemish name and older employees are treated worse. Discrimination is more frequent in the wholesale and retail retail sectors, compared to construction.
Somers said that he hopes even more Flemish municipalities will start the tests to get an overview of discrimination in different sectors.
A divisive policy
When the tests for first introduced two years ago, they were controversial in the Flemish government. When Minister of the Interior Bart Somers (Open VLD) announced them and used the word 25 times in a press release, the N-VA party in particular was unhappy.
Flemish Home Affairs and Coexistence Minister, Bart Somers. Credit: Belga.
Six months later, the tests were introduced, as expert advice showed that this form of research was the only way to detect discrimination. Despite the advice, the word was at first politically taboo.
Each coalition partner within the Flemish government was free to conduct the tests as they wished within their own fields. When the tests became possible in the labour market, the then Minister of Work Hilde Crevits (CD&V) didn't go for it, nor did Minister of Housing Matthias Diependaele (N-VA).
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However, when tests are conducted, the Flemish government offered financing for the tests, with policy recommendations created afterwards. As a result, Mechelen has created an action plan that focuses on strengthening brokers, raising awareness among private landlords, boosting a positive image and increasing the willingness to report among potential tenants.
Somers said he hoped that more Flemish municipalities will carry out the tests.
Regional desire to act against discrimination
Recent research by the VUB and UGent shows that there is much support in Flanders for combatting discrimination. One in two agree to tests to raise awareness about discrimination, and 48% agree to legal practice tests to punish discriminatory real estate agents and landlords if necessary. 18 and 16% of respondents are neutral about these types of field tests.
The Flemish government is conducting a test this year to test discrimination in its own recruitment policy.
