About 8 percent of employees in health care are not Belgian

About 8,3 percent of employees in the care sector in our country do not have the Belgian nationality. This is evident from a study by HR services company Acerta, conducted among 39.000 employees in the care sector.

In the last seven years, the share of non-Belgians in the care sector has increased by a third but remains relatively low compared to the average in other sectors. Language and cultural differences and the non-recognition of foreign diplomas are common obstacles for employment in the health care branch.

Fifteen percent of the employees in our labour market have a foreign nationality. In the care sector this share is considerably lower, with only 8,3 percent or one in twelve. "Language and cultural differences play a greater role in this sector than elsewhere", says Sabine Goossens, HR expert at Acerta Consult. "Moreover, for most jobs in health care a specific diploma is required and diplomas from outside the European Union have to be approved. This is where things tend to go wrong."

"For most jobs in health care a specific diploma is required and diplomas from outside the European Union have to be approved. This is where things tend to go wrong."

Of the EU foreigners working in healthcare in Belgium, most come from the Netherlands, France, Germany, Poland and Romania. Of the non-EU citizens working in residential care centres, hospitals, rehabilitation centres and other care institutions, most have a Moroccan or Congolese passport.

However, because of the staff shortages and labour shortages in the sector, there is great potential in attracting more foreign workers.

"The fact that more employees with a different nationality are working in our healthcare sector is a good thing, and also a logical evolution considering migration", says Goossens. "The labour shortage is also forcing healthcare companies to look beyond their own national borders to recruit new personnel. But the need to reflect society is also a factor in many care institutions today. If the workforce is a better reflection of the current population, it increases the organisation's recognisability, accessibility and support base."

(BRV)

© BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM