A large number of Ukrainians registered with the Flemish employment services (VDAB) are learning Dutch and finding work but a small number not making enough effort and now face sanctions.
Some of the Ukrainian nationals deemed suitable for the labour market are failing to comply with the VDAB system that requires jobseekers to be proactive in responding to vacancies. Those who are capable of work but do not accept offers can see part of the living wage they receive docked by social services.
As a result, the employment office has notified social services of 74 Ukrainians that it says have "made too little effort to respond to work, training or guidance offers".
Historically high inflow
Flanders has about 20,000 displaced Ukrainians of working age and the Flemish government wants to activate as many people from that group as possible by directing them to VDAB.
Of the almost 11,000 Ukrainians registered with the jobseeker services at the end of May – a historically high influx of temporarily displaced people enrolled with VDAB – almost 4,000 (36.1%) have gained work experience, accounting for half of all Ukrainian refugees of working age in Flanders.
"Across the board we see growth: in enrolments, in language skills and in the employment of Ukrainian refugees," said Flemish Minister of Work Jo Brouns.
Among all Ukrainians of working age, the employment rate in Flanders is significantly higher (28.3%) than in Wallonia and Brussels (12.4% and 11.4%, respectively).
The first quarter of 2023 saw the largest inflow of temporarily displaced Ukrainians that VDAB had ever experienced: in three months, 2,953 Ukrainians enrolled. Brouns expects this figure to grow.
Around 42% of those enrolled had limited or good knowledge of Dutch. "In three months, this is a 10% increase. Indeed, on 1 March, 67% still had no knowledge of Dutch at all, today it is 57.6%," Brouns said.
