The Flemish employment equity and diversity policy Michiel Van de Voorde

1. The Flemish employment equity and diversity policy Michiel Van de Voorde Labour market integration of immigrants in Europe

2. The Flemish employment equity and diversity policy: characteristics (1) A combination of employment equity and diversity • Societal goal: Pact 2020In 2020 the lag in labour market participation of women and target groups (incl. immigrants and their children, disabled persons and the low-skilled) will be completely reduced. Employment equity and diversity policy in every Flemish organisation . • Benefits for the organisation: subsidised introduction of diversity management • A win-win situation Labour market integration of immigrants in Europe

3. The Flemish employment equity and diversity policy: characteristics (2) A shared responsibility: the Flemish government, the social partners and the target group organisations • Knowing together • Thinking together • Evaluating together • Doing together (action plans and projects) Structural representation: Diversity Commission Labour market integration of immigrants in Europe

4. The Flemish employment equity and diversity policy: characteristics (3) An inclusive policy for all the target groups – with categorical action programmes where needed • A clear scenario for growth: the target groups employment rate yearly increases with 1% • Monitoring and yearly adjustments in the action plans Labour market integration of immigrants in Europe

5. The Flemish employment equity and diversity policy: characteristics (4) A complete impulse programme (---): • Macro level: long term projects of the social partners and target group organisations • Meso level: sectoral and regional covenants • Micro level: diversity plans Labour market integration of immigrants in Europe

6. The Flemish employment equity and diversity policy: characteristics (5) (---) Combined with the mainstreaming instrument of the ‘diversity test’. Three questions: • Quantitative targets?- Target groups?- Actions?- Monitoring?- Results? • Qualitative targets?- Target groups?- Actions?- Monitoring?- Results? • Partnerships? Labour market integration of immigrants in Europe

7. The Flemish employment equity and diversity policy: policy instruments – macro level (1) Jobkanaal (Job Channel) • Free extra recruitment channel for target groups, staffed with 30 consultants and 10 administrative employees • Cooperation between the Flemish employers federations, subsidized by the Flemish Government • Yearly objective: 5000 jobs to be filled by immigrants and their children, disabled persons and 50 + • Optional: vacancies exclusively accessible for target group members during max. 3 weeks • Sensitize and inform. Follow up and feedback. Labour market integration of immigrants in Europe

8. The Flemish employment equity and diversity policy: policy instruments – macro level (2) Diversity consultants of the trade unions • ABVV, ACLVB and ACV: 26 subsidized consultants • Yearly objective of the project: to put EED on the agenda of the social dialogue in 600 organisations • Promote diversity plans • Support shop stewards who are co-responsible for the implementation of a diversity policy on the shop floor Labour market integration of immigrants in Europe

9. The Flemish employment equity and diversity policy: policy instruments – macro level (3) Work Up: • Structural bridge with the immigrant communities • 3 staff members, 8 ‘activation coaches’ • Categorical action plan Labour market integration of immigrants in Europe

10. The Flemish employment equity and diversity policy: policy instruments – intermediate level Covenants with 31 industrial sectors • Three pillars: transition from work to school; LLL; employment equity and diversity. • ‘Diversity test’. Covenants with the 15 regional socio-economic councils • Regional targets for diversity plans • Diversity projects • Regional ‘Diversity Commission’ Labour market integration of immigrants in Europe

11. The Flemish employment equity and diversity policy: policy instruments – micro level (1) Diversity plans (1) • Yearly objective: 750 organisations (companies, local authorities, schools, NGO’s, ---) who start up a DP • 4 different types of DP and tailor made actions • Subsidies to cover up to 2/3 of the actual costs (up to a maximum of 10.000 Euro) • 43 subsidized regional consultants support organisations in establishing DP. Free consultancy from start to finish. • A subsidized diversity trajectory up to 4 years: ‘join in’ DP – classical or cluster DP – growth DP Labour market integration of immigrants in Europe

12. The Flemish employment equity and diversity policy: policy instruments – micro level (2) Diversity plans (2) • A range of measures are possible: coaching and guidance for new staff, language instruction, programmes on intercultural communication, diversification of recruitment channels, --- • Compulsory internal task force with representatives from trade unions and management • Compulsory target levels about hiring, training, internal mobility or preventing premature exodus; targets at the discretion of the organisation • ‘Opening doors, eyes and practices’ Labour market integration of immigrants in Europe

13. The Flemish employment equity and diversity policy: some dilemmas Opportunities/threats? • Synergy between all the programmes, actions, projects and networks • Involvement of the target groups • Balance between impulse policy and mainstreaming • Balance between categorical action and inclusive policy • Opening doors, opening eyes, opening practices • Integration in career development policy and organisational change? Labour market integration of immigrants in Europe

14. michiel.vandevoorde@wse.vlaanderen.be www.werk.be Labour market integration of immigrants in Europe