Two-thirds of French-speaking Belgians looking for work in Brussels don't speak enough Flemish to compete in the labour market, according to a study published on Tuesday by the Federal Planning Bureau and the Brussels Institute for Statistics and Analysis (BISA).
The study suggests that women, in particular, find work more quickly if they speak better Flemish.
Brussels is officially a bilingual region, but many residents have somewhat limited knowledge of Flemish and French. Many job seekers, therefore, miss opportunities in the labour market, stress the Federal Planning Bureau and BISA.
The agencies examined the files of all French-speaking Belgians registered in Brussels with Actiris, the regional employment agency. Almost 30% of job seekers noted that they speak Flemish at A1 level, which, at beginner level means very basic knowledge of the language. Another 37% have A2 level, which means they understand simple texts.
In total, 67% of the surveyed group don't speak Dutch at a level required in the labour market. Even for people with a higher education diploma, 45% don't progress beyond this level. Fewer than one in five job seekers speak Dutch at an least an advanced level.
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A lack of Flemish makes it harder for French-speaking residents in Brussels to find a job. The same study showed that people with an advanced level are 20% more likely to find work than people who don't make it past A2. 2019 figures from Actiris indicate that half of the vacancies require explicit knowledge of French and Flemish.
Those who speak Flemish have a significantly better chance of finding work, regardless of their level of education. These findings are especially true for women, which may be due to the sectors in which women look for work. Knowledge of Flemish is an advantage in sectors which require higher levels of human interaction, such as sales.
Brussels and Flanders are coordinating a plan to encourage more Brussels residents to take on jobs in Flanders. Yet the Planning Bureau and BISA stress that French-speaking jobseekers who barely speak Flemish are more likely to miss out, not only in Brussels but also in Flanders, although it is nearby.
