A plan to fight racism and increase diversity in Belgium’s Public Service has been adopted by the Council of Ministers.
In a joint statement, Minister for the Civil Service, Petra De Sutter and State Secretary for Equal Opportunities, Sarah Schlitz said the decision followed figures from the statistical office, Statbel, which revealed the Public Service was low on diversity.
Statbel’s findings showed that just 12.5 per cent of Federal Public Servants were citizens with non-European origins, and only seven per cent of those with non-European origins held a master’s degree.
Among Federal staff with a secondary school diploma, the figure dropped to 6.3 per cent.
The largest number of Public Servants from a non-European country (nine per cent) was found among those who had lower secondary education or no diploma.
Dr De Sutter and Ms Schlitz said around €300,000 ($A448,ooo) would be allocated to combatting discrimination and racism and promoting diversity in the Public Service.
“First, we want a study to determine the obstacles that people of non-European origin encounter during the selection process,” Dr De Sutter and Ms Schlitz said.
“A survey to establish the image of Federal administrations as an employer with these people will also be launched,” they said.
“Federal Public Authorities will then use the data to develop new diversity and action plans, as well as organise regular training and awareness campaigns to make people aware of prejudice.”
Dr De Sutter and Ms Schlitz said Public Servants would get anti-discrimination training and welfare legislation would be introduced to ensure minorities were better informed of their rights and obligations.
“To promote diversity within their staff, diversity plans will be required to show quantified objectives, actions and reports of discrimination to the Interfederal Centre for Equal Opportunities,” they said.
“Administrations will be mandated to appoint officials who will be responsible for implementing these plans.”
Brussels, 15 July 2022
