Flanders to introduce labour market discrimination tests across all sectors
The Flemish Government has approved a uniform system of practical tests to measure discrimination across the labour market, including sectors that previously fell outside existing agreements. The initiative aims to identify where discrimination persists and help sectors take targeted action.
From December 2026, practical tests will be rolled out within sector covenants, cooperation agreements between Flanders and individual sectors aimed at improving access to employment and training. Until now, such tests were not conducted in the same way everywhere, making results difficult to compare. The new approach is intended to create a standardised framework.
In sectors not covered by the covenant system, discrimination will be assessed through separate academic research. The move follows criticism that some parts of the labour market would otherwise escape scrutiny.
"It would be strange if we checked it in some sectors and not in others. In every sector, people must be able to get to work based on their capabilities," said Flemish equal opportunities minister Caroline Gennez (Vooruit).
The tests will take the form of correspondence studies, comparing responses to fictitious job applications from candidates with identical qualifications but different ages or ethnic backgrounds.
Research has consistently shown disparities in hiring practices. European studies indicate that older applicants receive almost 50 per cent fewer positive responses, while international research suggests that candidates with a name associated with an ethnic minority are, on average, 29 per cent less likely to receive a positive response from employers.
"What does work is raising awareness and self-regulation."
The Flemish Government says that the tests are intended to raise awareness rather than punish employers. Results will be reported anonymously at sector level, while data relating to individual companies will remain encrypted and inaccessible.
"Based on the level of discrimination per sector, we will examine how to support those sectors with targeted actions," said Gennez. There will be no sanctions.
The first results are expected in spring 2028.
Employers' organisation Voka criticised the decision. "No one benefits from a witch hunt against employers. What does work is raising awareness and self-regulation. There is no economic logic for discrimination, certainly not given the tight labour market," it said.
Voka also questioned whether Flanders has the legal authority to conduct such tests across the entire labour market, noting that parts of employment policy remain a federal responsibility.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO ROBBE VANDEGEHUCHTE
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