An increasing number of people from Southern Europe are coming to Belgium to seek work. The figures come from a survey of employment agencies that was carried out by the daily ‘De Morgen’.
Belgian employment agencies say that they have noticed an increase in the number of Greeks, Italians, Portuguese and Spanish citizens seeking work here.
For example, the employment agency Randstad has seen the number of applications for work from citizens of Southern European countries increase by 10%.

Many of those seeking work here are highly-skilled, yet unable to find work in their home countries due to the severity of the economic crisis there. They come to Belgium looking for better job security and higher wages.
The economic crisis has obliged governments in countries such as Portugal to cut public sector wages and benefits.