Belgian Minister Urges CPAS to Deny Benefits to Recipients Who Refuse Work on Religious Grounds
In Belgium, Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt is calling on CPAS offices to more strictly assess the work availability of people receiving the integration income benefit. Job refusals based on religious beliefs are among the situations being targeted, along with refusals to attend training or learn a language.
Refusing to serve people of the opposite sex on religious grounds can affect whether someone continues to receive a CPAS benefit. This was one of the examples cited on Friday, October 30, by Belgium’s Minister for Social Integration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt. She has sent a circular to public social welfare centres setting out how to assess whether their beneficiaries are willing to work.
In her October 30 statement, the minister says cultural or religious reasons should not justify refusing a job. She also cites the view that women should not work. Anyone deemed insufficiently willing to work may be denied the integration income benefit or lose the assistance they receive.
CPAS offices are also being asked to examine refusals, without a valid reason, to take training, receive support, accept an available childcare option or work adapted hours. Beneficiaries must be able to demonstrate their efforts to improve their language skills, including by taking courses.
CPAS offices dispute the minister’s assessment
Being available for work is already a condition under Belgian law. The Federal Public Service for Social Integration states that assessments take into account the beneficiary’s practical opportunities, health and family situation. Medical or equity-related reasons may justify an exemption.
The minister is nevertheless asking CPAS offices to consider adapted or part-time work options when someone has health problems. Students receiving assistance may also be asked to work weekends and during holidays, when their circumstances allow.
Her statements prompted an immediate reaction. Sébastien Lepoivre, president of the Brussels federation of CPAS offices, says he has not encountered a single refusal to work on religious grounds in eight years as head of a CPAS. According to BRUZZ, he believes the minister is stigmatizing some beneficiaries. The Flemish association of cities and municipalities also considers the circular to have no added value.
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The CPAS retains the final say in each case. The social inquiry conducted with the applicant serves as the basis for assessing their circumstances and actual availability for work.
