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Rabat – Moroccans represented the majority of Belgium’s foreign workforce in 2022, indicated human resources service provider Acerta in a survey on Monday.
Moroccans represented 9% of non-Belgian workers in the country last year, followed by France (8.5%), the Netherlands (7.3%), Romania (7%), and Poland (5.6%). Acerta indicated that non-Blegian workers represented a record 15.8 % of the country’s total workforce.
Meanwhile, the two nationalities that have recorded the most significant increases are Ukrainian workers, up by 97.7% compared to 2021, and Afghans (+13.9%).
The report indicated that Belgium has been suffering from significant labor shortages in several sectors in the past five years, prompting the country to resort to foreign workers to meet its needs.
The Belgian labor market’s diversity in terms of nationality has increased from 12.6% in 2017 to 14.8% in 2021, noted the report.
Read also: Spain to Hire Moroccan Truckers to Remedy Labor Shortages
Sectors that employ most foreign workers include the transportation and logistics sector (25.7%), food industry (21.1%), hospitality industry (18.8%), and construction (17.8%).
Acerta noted an increase in the number of foreign workers above the age of 60, saying that “this is the most significant increase among all age groups.” Meanwhile, those aged between 30 and 40 remain the most represented among Belgium’s foreign workforce.
The report highlighted the benefits of having a diverse labor force, arguing that it allows for a better work atmosphere, as well as fosters creativity. But it noted that 75% of companies do not have a diversity policy aimed at integrating foreign workers and creating an inclusive work environment.
The Moroccan diaspora residing in Belgium is estimated at more than 80,000, representing the country’s largest non-European community.
