Flemish Welfare minister aims to eliminate shortages in childcare sector
Flemish Welfare minister Caroline Gennez (Vooruit) wants to gradually eliminate the shortage of childcare places. The sector, which has been under pressure in recent years, will be given oxygen again with a multi-year plan, Gennez said on Tuesday on Radio 1.
The new Flemish government is investing an extra 200 million euros in childcare in the next legislative period, which will be used to hire more staff. Minister Gennez plans additional training for childcare workers, such as a university degree. She also wants to work on fairer pay. "Today, a childcare worker earns more in a kindergarten than in a crèche. This is not logical," said Gennez.
"Today, a childcare worker earns more in a kindergarten than in a crèche. This is not logical"
In addition to staff, the price of childcare also needs to come down. Currently, this can easily reach 500 or 600 euros a month, according to the minister. "The majority of the places created under my authority will be income-related places, i.e. affordable places," promises Gennez.
Finally, Gennez promised additional childcare places, with the shortage being gradually reduced. "The Childcare Futures Group has produced a fantastic report. We are going to make those investments. We are also going to have a dialogue with those people and step by step, with a multi-year plan, we are going to reinvigorate the sector," the minister said.
Gennez defends coalition agreement
During the interview, Gennez also defended criticism of the coalition agreement's emphasis on having a job and knowing Dutch. This, critics say, would hit the most vulnerable people the hardest.
"Social rights should be inclusive and belong to everyone, but you can also ask people to take responsibility," Gennez said. "That at the end of the process, after many chances, possibly in case of manifest unwillingness, a sanction comes, that is part of the whole process."
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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