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Immigration and trade unions in Belgium: historical trends and new challenges

Author

Listed:
  • Albert Martens

    (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium)

  • Valeria Pulignano

    (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium)

Abstract

This article argues that, despite relatively good integration policies and stable, high and cross-sectoral national trade union membership, irregular immigration and irregular work in Belgium threaten workers' solidarity and trade union strength. The diffusion of ‘twilight’ workers in many companies and sectors has obliged the trade unions to call for regularisation to restore the workers' front and re-establish workers' cohesion. Although the trade unions have supported a number of actions in support of people without documents (such as hunger strikes in churches) it is not easy to convince unionised workers to accept the new ‘comrades’ and to fight racism in the workplace. Moreover, there are other difficulties, including the discussion among policy-makers of an EU ‘Blue Card’ for temporary migration for work. The latter in particular represents a new challenge for the Belgian trade unions, who traditionally have supported family reunification and long-term residence of migrants.

Suggested Citation

  • Albert Martens & Valeria Pulignano, 2008. "Immigration and trade unions in Belgium: historical trends and new challenges," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 14(4), pages 665-675, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:treure:v:14:y:2008:i:4:p:665-675
    DOI: 10.1177/102425890801400411
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vertommen, Sara & Martens, Albert, 2006. "Ethnic Minorities Rewarded: Ethnostratification on the Wage Market in Belgium," Knowledge, Technology, Human Capital Working Papers 12105, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM).
    2. Sara Vertommen & Albert Martens, 2006. "Ethnic Minorities Rewarded: Ethnostratification on the Wage Market in Belgium," Working Papers 2006.61, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.
    3. Catelene Passchier, 2007. "Towards unity in diversity: a trade union strategy to combat racism and xenophobia," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 13(3), pages 477-484, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Antonio Martín Artiles & Oscar Molina, 2011. "Crisis, economic uncertainty and union members' attitudes towards immigration in Europe," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 17(4), pages 453-469, November.

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