flandersfocus on THE DUTCH SPEAKING PART OF press review weekly, does not appear in July • number 18 • 30 April – 6 May 2005

INTRODUCTION fla Breakthrough in case of r la ndr u e s • s f u o lmost every week the c c o u economy sections of the f s A •

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o s k u excellence, China. On 1 Janu- breakthrough may have been huyse who received the seven threaten- ary the European import made in the investigation into the ing letters, one of which contained two restrictions for textiles that had been in place for A around thirty years were scrapped, and the suspect responsible for the threatening bullets, and Naïma Amzil were sum- repercussions of this are being felt throughout letters sent to Remmery, a company moned before the King and the royal Europe, including in the Belgian textile sector. based in Ledegem in West . On couple later visited the firm (FF). According to Fa Quix, Director of the textile fed- eration Febeltex, the sector has lost 500 jobs in 3 May the husband ('Bernard') of a three months. The closure of artificial silk manu- female employee ('Marijke') of the JAN FEYS/STEVEN DE BOCK • facturer Fabelta in , with the loss of 179 company was arrested. The HET NIEUWSBLAD • 5 MAY jobs, was the lowest point. A further 150 jobs may also go among small hosiery manufacturers Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed in the Waasland. Most major clothing chains that testing of DNA material found on a Marijke was not immediately Naïma's now buy their hosiery from China. stamp of one of the threatening letters best friend. That had to do with the According to Febeltex, imports from China rose by 70% during the first quarter. Febeltex fears led to the breakthrough. The female new job thrust upon Marijke. Van 2,000 jobs will be lost in 2005 and as many as employee apparently felt ‘passed over’ Nieuwenhuyse: ‘I needed someone in 10,000 within the textile and clothing sector by by her colleague of Moroccan origin, the kitchen and found that she was 2008. Nor is the loss of jobs the only indication that things are moving in the wrong direction. Naïma Amzil. Her husband (or another suitable. She was a bit frustrated but I The competitive struggle has become so tough suspect) demanded Naïma's resigna- increased her pay.’ that the average return in textile firms is now tion in a series of letters, before threat- That was a few weeks before the first barely 2%. Should it come as any surprise that many small textile manufacturers are being on ening to set fire to the company, kill threatening letter. Naïma had been ab- the safe side and putting their businesses up for Van Nieuwenhuyse, and poison the sent for several months through illness sale, Quix wonders. Together with , Italy, firm's food products. The case received and maternity leave. Once back she Poland and Portugal, Belgium is therefore siding with European Commissioner Mandelson, who a great deal of attention when the man- was allowed to resume her former job wants to limit the growth of imports from ager of the company, RikVannieuwen- in the packaging department. That de- China for certain textile products. Still, accord- partment is seen as the ‘cushiest job in ing to Philippe Vlerick of Uco Textiles, the direc- tives will come into effect much too late, some- the company’. Perhaps her colleague times when imports have already risen to 100%. CONTENTS felt that she had been kicked upstairs The Chinese textile worker costs an average of to the kitchen instead of Naïma and 40 eurocents an hour, a Belgian textile worker 20 euros, a ratio of one to fifty. According to Fa Politics therefore felt frustrated. Did her hus- Quix (Het Nieuwsblad, 3 May), there is nothing BHV: Francophones push up the band adopt the weapon of anonymous wrong with China competing on the world mar- price 2 terror to avenge his wife? Was she ket with low wages. Belgian textile firms have other aces such as technology, efficiency and ex- BHV: the cracks behind the split 2 aware of what was going on? The tensive automation. It only becomes unfair BHV: guide to a complex federal cross-examinations will have to de- when China subsidises its prices, says Quix, be- problem 3 cide. Marijke did not hide the fact at cause many Chinese textile products are sold here below the price of raw material costs, even work that she voted for the far-right. 30% below the price of countries with compa- Economy and Social policy What is surprising is that the couple rable wages, such as Sri Lanka or Bangladesh. In Innovation fund with risk capital were friends with a former suspect. Af- other words: China is cheating by employing dumping prices. Quix is convinced lower wages for starters 4 ter a comparison of his DNA with a can at most provide a price advantage of 20%. Stevaert wants banks to offer more trace found on the last threatening let- In practice the price difference amounts to 75%. loans to SMEs 4 ter proved the man's innocence, the in- Such pricing is only possible by subsidising busi- nesses, raw materials or other interventions, he Disunity within socialist vestigators turned to Bernard and Mar- believes. According to Quix and Philippe Vlerick movement about social contribution5 ijke. It was after all known that there (Uco Textiles) in Trends (14 April), China wants to cunningly capture large parts of the market Rise of unemployment has come had been a clash between Marijke and and in so doing keep its factories running. What to a stop in Flanders 6 Naïma at work. Two weeks ago a DNA is more, the European consumer hardly profits 31 suspects in Beaulieu case 6 sample was taken from Bernard. at all from these cheap import prices, the major chain stores such as H&M, Zara or Carrefour even less so. According to European figures, the Culture average import price has fallen by 30% since Why Belgian culture is hot in 2000, while the shop price fell by barely 0.5%. France 7 ■ Frank Vandecaveye | editor in chief

focus on FLANDERS • 30 April - 6 May 2005 • Number 18 2 POLITICS

STATE REFORM: ELECTORAL LAW three municipalities of -Halle-: , and also become bilingual, like Brussels. In addition, they were also demanding Francophones push up price that Flanders build Francophone sec- ondary schools in the ‘Vlaamse Rand’ of split around Brussels and were calling for more flexible linguistic legislation in Brussels itself. Finally they also want FF EDITOR peared. In the Flemish papers a rift the agreements on reducing debt to be emerged between supporters and oppo- revised. In past years Flanders has BHV as good as split, read the headline nents of the compromise. The Federal cleared almost all of its debt, but not in Het Nieuwsblad on 2 May. Accord- government parties were in favour, and . In exchange for this package ing to the paper, there was only one even Hugo Schiltz, former chairman of the Flemings, in addition to the split- item left on the table: the splitting of the Volksunie and senior negotiator on ting of BHV, would also get the region- the bilingual constituency with the state reform in the 1970s, could live alisation of transport and energy. disappearance of registration rights for with it. The CD&V and N-VA, part of It is clear that this price is far too high Francophone residents of the monolin- the but not the for the Flemish parties. Talks are gual Flemish constituency of Halle- Federal, spoke out against registration therefore again at a deadlock. But the Vilvoorde after the split. They could rights. negotiators are not yet giving up. They vote for Francophone politicians in But barely 12 hours later the Francoph- are giving themselves one more week Brussels. For the residents of the six one parties torpedoed these optimistic to thrash out a compromise. But that Flemish municipalities where the expectations. For them, a registration will be the very last postponement, Francophones enjoy facilities, the reg- right for Francophones was far from since the Chamber Internal Affairs istration right would be permanent. In enough, they cried in unison before the Committee has decided to begin dis- the constituency's other Flemish mu- cameras of Flemish television. On be- cussing the bills on Brussels-Halle-Vil- nicipalities they would disappear (after half of the Francophone government voorde from next week. Both the Flem- 10 to 15 years or limited to the current parties and opposition, PS Chairman ish and Francophone parties agreed on generation of voters). In short, there Elio Di Rupo said the Flemish proposal this deadline. Only the would be an agreement before BHV ap- was simply ‘unacceptable and im- voted against. peared on the agenda of the Internal proper’. The price of the split had to be Affairs Committee in the Federal Par- much higher. In addition to the regis- liament again on Tuesday 3 May, it ap- tration right, they demanded that the ■

STATE REFORM: ELECTORAL LAW Or why for several months the PS has The cracks behind the split often been a better pillar for Guy Ver- hofstadt than the SP.A. It is a feeling that is unintentionally being strength- of Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde ened by the sense pervading CD&V circles. As a Christian Democrat said the PS is sometimes a better partner for Premier Verhofstadt (VLD) earlier this week: ‘BH-V depends on Di than the SP.A Rupo. And more specifically on whether he chooses the VLD or CD&V. I think he's made his choice. russels-Halle-Vilvoorde has now and with it the PS of Elio Di Rupo, sus- And it's the VLD. Rather a weaker B held the Rue de la Loi in its grip for pects that the Flemish Socialists are party than the much stronger cartel of several months, while leaving around playing a double role and made promis- the CD&V and N-VA.’ Senior Liberals 90% of completely cold, es to the Christian Democratic CD&V. are sometimes expressing their fore- claims (4 May). Because no This means the PS is sometimes a bet- boding about the ‘cuckoldry’ of the solution has been found for the con- ter partner for Premier Verhofstadt SP.A even more firmly and affirma- stituency in question, we may well get (VLD) than the SP.A, maintains the tively. ‘The SP.A made promises to the early federal elections in June. Even paper. After all, according to CD&V CD&V in 2004,’ says one of them. though they do not want a government politicians, Di Rupo has quietly decid- ‘That's patently obvious. Now and crisis the Francophones, who are in no ed to continue governing with Verhof- then, as with B-H-V, they want to show way calling for these negotiations, are stadt and his VLD (FF). the CD&V they've not forgotten their not taking the dossier seriously. The word. We're witnessing the prelude to paper has inferred this from the entire- FILIP ROGIERS • DE MORGEN • 4 MAY a change of coalition.’ ly unreasonable requirements they are The PS has long been convinced that demanding in exchange for a split and Since the end of last year, when ru- B-H-V is ‘just one small part of a much the fact that they have delegated hard- mours of a change of federal coalition greater strategy’. And they are just as liners Philippe Moureaux (PS) and reared their head, the PS has felt that firmly convinced that the engine and Olivier Maingain (MR) as negotiators. the SP.A is playing a double role. More ropes of that strategy are being oper- But reciprocal tensions between the than that: they believe Steve Stevaert ated by the SP.A. For comrades, it is a Flemish parties also play a part, the really wants in source of fundamental incomprehen- paper claims. Thus the Liberal VLD, Rue de la Loi 16. sion. ■

focus on FLANDERS • 30 April - 6 May 2005 • Number 18 POLITICS 3

STATE REFORM: ELECTORAL LAW choose their domicile in one of the BHV: guide to a complex nineteen Brussels municipalities. There they could then fulfil their ad- ministrative obligations and, above all, federal problem exercise their right to vote. In the end the Egmont Pact did not survive. What makes the constituency BHV special and why is it a problem? 6. Does our country already have a sort of registration right? or those for whom the Brussels- According to Flemish politicians the In 1988 Jean-Luc Dehaene resurrected F Halle-Vilvoorde reports raise more so-called territoriality principle domi- the registration right to undermine the questions than they answer - and that is nates, while for the Francophones it is Voeren question. In European and Fed- not only foreigners but also the majori- the personality principle. The territori- eral Parliament elections, voters in Vo- ty of Belgians - has drawn ality principle implies that the terri- eren and Komen could now cast their up a brief outline of the problem using a tory and borders of each Federal State votes in the district of Verviers and number of questions. The answers to are decisive. In other words, everyone respectively. the questions situate the disputed con- who lives in Flanders must respect its stituency within the Belgian federal Flemish character, even if they speak a 7. Can the Francophones not submit state structure (FF). different language. According to the their own lists in Flanders? personality principle, the rights of the Nothing prevents the Francophones STEVEN SAMYN/GUY TEGENBOS • (Francophone) person are paramount, from submitting their own lists in DE STANDAARD • 3 MAY even if this person lives and works in after a split. In elec- Flanders. tions for the , for 1. What makes the constituency of example, there is no Brussels-Halle- Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde special? 4. Is the introduction of a registration Vilvoorde constituency, but a Flemish Federal Belgium consists of three right the solution? Brabant constituency. In this case the monolingual regions (the Dutch, the In exchange for splitting the con- MR, PS and CDH combine their forces French and the German) and one bilin- stituency, Francophones from the and go the country as the Union des gual region (Brussels-Capital). The ad- Rand could register as voters in Brus- Francophones (UF). The difference ministrative and legal division of our sels for European and Parliamentary with the current situation is that the country is based on these linguistic ar- elections. Several weeks ago there was Francophone political tenors are not eas. However, the constituency of a proposal on the table to introduce on these lists and parties such as the Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde extends over such a right. It would apply to all Fran- UF have to struggle with a problem of two different linguistic areas. It in- cophones currently living in Halle-Vil- recognition. The results of the last cludes the nineteen municipalities of voorde. The Francophones in the six elections demonstrate the difference. the bilingual Brussels region and the facility municipalities would also be In the Federal elections of 2003 the thirty-five municipalities of Flemish given a decreasing administrative reg- Francophone parties won 70,000 votes Brabant. The Francophone parties can istration right. This would allow them in Halle-Vilvoorde, but in last year's rustle up votes in the thirty-five Flem- to then fulfil their municipal obliga- regional elections the UF won only ish municipalities in Federal and Euro- tions in one of the nineteen Brussels 40,000. pean elections. And in Brussels, Flem- municipalities. ings can vote for Flemish candidates from Halle-Vilvoorde. 5. Is the idea of a registration right new? 2. Why is B-H-V a problem? The Egmont Pact of 1977 included the In 2003 the Court of Arbitration ruled introduction of a registration right. that B-H-V contravenes the principle The Francophones in the facility mu- of equality. In contrast to the rest of nicipalities, large parts of the seven Flanders, there is no provincial con- other municipalities and one or two stituency in Flemish Brabant. In addi- districts around the capital could ■ tion to Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde there is a separate constituency of . If the provincial constituencies are re- tained, the constituencies in the for- mer must be reor- FRANCOPHONE VOTES IN CONSTITUENCY HALLE-VILVOORDE ganised, according to the Court of regional elections 2004 federal elections 2003 Arbitration. The Federal Government was given until 2007. However, in the uf () total mr ps event of a split, special measures can 3,600 (4.7%) 7,927 (8.6%) 4,121 (4.5%) 2,361 (2.6%) apply ‘to protect the legitimate inter- halle 14,312 (19.4%) 19,741 (26.5%) 11,043 (14.8%) 4,527 (6.1%) ests of Dutch- and French-speakers in 9,478 (1.55%) 8,175 (19.9%) 3,322 (8.1%) 1,721 (4.2%) the former province’. 5,820 (9.48%) 8,636 (15.1%) 5,527 (8.9%) 1,197 (3.2%) vilvoorde 2,493 (5.12%) 6,286 (12.4%) 2,824 (5.5%) 2,167 (4.3%) 3. What is the fundamental difference 13,580 (25.62%) 18,596 (33.6%) 11,384 (20.1%) 2,262 (4.7%) of opinion between Flemings and Fran- cophones? totaal 40,283 69,361 Source: DE STANDAARD focus on FLANDERS • 30 April - 6 May 2005 • Number 18 4 ECONOMY

EMPLOYERS euros, which may not be more than Innovation fund offers risk 80% of their capital. The Vinnof will also support the seed capital funds of the universities, which capital for starters are struggling with a lack of capital. If only one starting business in 400 receives risk capital, while there are an such a fund, such as the Baekelandt estimated 4,000 young businesses that could be considered innovative Fund of the University of , takes an interest, the Vinnof will match the amount. This will double the interest. here is an acute lack of risk capital BART HAECK • • 30 APRIL Businesses that benefit from IWT subsi- T for innovative businesses in Flan- dies (from the Institute for the Promo- ders. Several figures show this. In 1999, The fact that innovation is being given tion of Innovation by Science and Tech- at the peak of the dotcom hype, there such high priority is all to do with nology in Flanders, ed.) can also have was 265 million euros of risk capital in employment. Moerman cited a study their support doubled by the Vinnof. Belgium. Today that figure is only 28 from the USA to underline that. Only The Innovation Fund will begin next million euros. At present only one 5% of American businesses are innova- year. The EU, which prohibits exces- starting business in 400 receives risk tive, but this group is responsible for sive national support, first has to give capital, while there are an estimated 80% of employment growth. the go-ahead. Flemish Government 4,000 young businesses that could be The Innovation Fund's task is therefore support for risk capital consists of a considered innovative. Because only clear: provide capital where the market quadriptych/four parts, which will be one in two innovative businesses fails to do so, thereby creating extra jobs completed in 2006. The Vriendenlening apparently survives, private investors over time. The Flemish Government is (fiscally advantageous capital from find the risk too great. Also, such busi- giving the Fund 75 million euros, mon- friends and family) will start next year, nesses have to incur significant costs ey that comes from the sale of Staal Arkimedes (fiscally advantageous sup- before seeing any profits. This is a mat- Vlaanderen. According to Moerman, port for larger projects) starts this sum- ter for government intervention, decid- private groups are also expressing an mer, the Business Angel Network (sup- ed Flemish Minister for Economic interest in investing in the Innovation port from a network of entrepreneurs) is Affairs Fientje Moerman (VLD). After Fund, which could increase the budget. already active. the Flemish Council of Ministers on 29 Only young businesses that have had April she announced the setting up of an undertaking number with the Kruis- an Innovation Fund (Vinnof). The Fund puntbank Ondernemen for less than will hold at least 75 million euros (FF). three years will be eligible for support. They can apply to the Innovation Fund for a maximum subsidy of 500,000 ■

BANKS est: from the stock exchange, bond mar- Stevaert wants banks to kets or foreign banks. In contrast, Bel- gian banks are granting more and more loans to SMEs, according to the figures. grant more loans to SMEs A bank that grants too few loans will be Stevaert got the idea from Scotland, where the government checks forced out of the market by another. business plans to determine their cost-effectiveness And if no bank is prepared to take the risk of financing a business plan, then something must be wrong with the rue to tradition, every 1 May SP.A then put its bank under (moral) pres- plan. Banks are obliged to assess com- T Chairman Steve Stevaert launches sure to grant it a loan. Stevaert got the mercial projects in terms of their cost- one or more new ideas. This year was idea from Scotland, where the govern- effectiveness. Not only out of a desire no different. This time Stevaert had it ment checks business plans to deter- for money, but also because otherwise in for the banks, which are making mine their cost-effectiveness. It is also they will not survive. Non-profitable more profit than ever before. They an example of how the government can banks quickly end up in foreign hands, hoard all their money to buy each other support the economy creatively, Ste- and then Flemish SMEs will certainly up and scream blue murder if the cus- vaert feels. De Tijd is sticking up for the not be paid any greater attention. It tomer wants to be able take his money banks and firmly against such a govern- would be counter-productive to disrupt out of the hole in the wall for free - an ment institute (FF). the loans market with a government idea of SP.A Minister Freya Vanden body. If such a body forces banks Bossche, claims Stevaert. And that Opinion (morally) to grant loans they did not while more and more SMEs are finding actually want to, it will price Belgian it difficult to get a loan from their bank. FREDERIK DELAPLACE • DE TIJD • 2 MAY banks and the Belgian economy out of Stevaert now wants to put pressure on the market. For all its good intentions, the banks and give those SMEs that It is true that lending by Belgian banks this plan conveys the popular adage need to borrow money a boost by set- is at a low level, but that is largely that above all banks should not make a ting up a government institute where because in recent years multinationals profit. It does not deserve any credit. they can have their business plan have increasingly looked elsewhere for screened. With a positive opinion from finance. The InBevs or Beaulieus of this that body in the bag, a company could world get their money where it is cheap- ■

focus on FLANDERS • 30 April - 6 May 2005 • Number 18 SOCIAL POLICY 5

SOCIAL SECURITY reduce taxes on labour, the ABVV also Trade union and party claims. For workers and pensioners it will replace the solidarity charges they currently still have to pay. They will involved in dispute over pay no more in the future. However, the other groups, including those who ASB on 1 May live off income from capital, will - be- cause they currently pay nothing. ASB is intended as a replacement for the crisis contribution for social The belief within the SP.A is that the security and the solidarity contribution for pensioners, reality is rather more prosaic. Those on two taxes currently paid by workers lower incomes will be exempt from paying that sort of contribution and as a rule those on the highest incomes his year's Labour Day (Feest van de money for social security has to come will only marginally be affected by T Arbeid) was marked by a difference from or via the treasury, it is not they that sort of measure; it is therefore of opinion over the General Social Con- but the politicians who have the final once again the middle classes that will tribution (Algemene Sociale Bijdrage, say. This is just what the SP.A wants. It have to foot most of the bill, it claims. ASB). The Socialist ABVV union has believes that the political vote must The party is also aware that an ASB placed all its hope in this new tax to hold sway in health insurance in par- will be viewed as a tax increase come guarantee the financing of social securi- ticular, for which the ABVV wants to what may. And it no longer wants to be ty. The Flemish Socialist SP.A is against earmark the ASB. The debate is cur- blamed for having raised taxes. it. The ASB is a tax on all incomes: on rently dominated by doctors' unions, www.abvv.be wages, company profits, income from health funds and social partners. www.sp.be capital and from property. The idea is SP.A members such as Frank Vanden- also defended by the Francophone broucke and Steve Stevaert also be- Socialists of Elio di Rupo, by ! lieve that the healthcare sector must and even by the Christian ACV union. become a single system for all Belgian According to SP.A-party Chairman residents, and that separate systems Steve Stevaert, who gave his 1 May for wage- and salary-earners on the one address in , the home town of hand and the self-employed on the Budget Minister Vande Lanotte, the other are outmoded. In that logic the ASB is an extra tax on labour and there- social partners are also no longer really fore repugnant. He believes that in the necessary in managing health insur- first place, more people should be found ance. The union, however, wants to re- jobs, thereby allowing social security to tain its influence in this area. feed itself. He also feels that stronger There is a further community snake in action should be taken against the the grass. The PS and ABVV want to excessive expenditure in health insur- avoid social security being financed ance, in which doctors and pharmaceu- entirely through taxes. Then the trade tical companies play a part. ABVV boss union is no longer involved in manage- Xavier Verboven claims, however, that ment and for them that was precisely Stevaert has misunderstood the idea, as the firmest guarantee against a com- the ASB is not intended as a tax munity splitting of social security and increase but as a replacement for the its sub-sections. An ASB will serve to ■ crisis contribution for social security and the solidarity contribution for pen- sioners, two taxes currently paid by workers. For most workers the ASB will work out to their advantage, Ver- boven ensured his listeners in Leuven. New ABVV boss Caroline Copers also vigorously defended the ASB in her maiden speech in . De Stan- daard and De Morgen sided with Ste- vaert in their comments. De Standaard LARGEST BELGIAN CARPET GROUPS (CONSOLIDATED RESULTS IN MILLION EURO) also suspects other motives behind this turnover operating profit net profit internal discussion within the Socialist movement (FF). 2003 2002 2003 2002 2003 2002 domo group (beaulieu) 781.3 797.5 -12.7 -6.6 -31.9 -32.6 GUY TEGENBOS • DE STANDAARD • 2 MAY balta group 612.9 591.2 58.8 62.2 13.4 20.7 berry floor group (beaulieu) 397.1 415.0 18.5 26.0 9.2 17.1 The trade unions want an extra in- ideal group (beaulieu) 383.2 396.6 21.1 19.9 12.2 49.8 come stream directly into social secu- associated weavers 254.3 270.3 4.8 10.2 1.2 4.7 rity. After all, in principle it is they beaulieu kruishoutem 207.2 218.4 8.4 14.4 3.8 7.5 that manage social security money, to- gether with employers. If the extra ter lembeek (beaulieu) 165.6 185.2 1.8 18.0 -16.3 2.6 Source: DE STANDAARD focus on FLANDERS • 30 April - 6 May 2005 • Number 18 6 ECONOMY AND SOCIAL POLICY

JOB MARKET Equally concerning is the fact that half Rise of unemployment of young unemployed people are semi- and unskilled. Among young foreign- ers the figure is as much as 60%. comes to a stop in Flanders It is for this problem group of semi- and unskilled jobseekers that Federal but unemployment among foreigners of non-European origin is rising Employment Minister Freya Vanden twice as fast as among Belgians Bossche has developed a package of measures. Across the three regions of Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia, 21% FF EDITOR The improved economic situation has of young people below the age of 25 are in fact caused the number of jobs avail- unemployed. Of these, 70% are semi- April saw an end to the rising unem- able in Flanders to rise slightly, by 3%. and unskilled and find it very difficult ployment in Flanders, say experts from For the first time in four years unem- to get a job. For them, Vanden Bossche the Flemish Public Employment Ser- ployment among highly skilled males has launched the start bonus. Young vice (Vlaamse Dienst voor Arbeids- is down. And there are now around people in part-time education, for ex- bemiddeling en Beroepsopleiding, 1,000 fewer young unemployed people ample, can keep their bridging pay- VDAB). Admittedly, compared with a than a year ago. However, there are ment if they find a part-time job. The year ago, there are 17,633 more people still 12,000 more young people unem- employer gets 100 euros. This start seeking work, but that is down to sta- ployed than in 2000. bonus is also available to young people tistical adjustments. After all, since The fact that unemployment among in part-time employment who are re- August 2004 8,000 additional older foreigners of non-European origin is ceiving further training. Here too the jobseekers have been included in the rising twice as fast as among Belgians employer gets 100 euros to keep wage figures and since October 2004 the or unemployed people of European ori- costs down. Finally there is also a start employees of a Local Employment gin is a cause for concern, notes De premium for young job-seekers setting Agency have again been viewed as job- Standaard (3 May). Since 2000 the in- up their own business. seekers. Without these adjustments crease in this group has been 75%, http://arvastat.vdab.be there is actually zero growth. more than twice that among Belgians. ■ At the end of April unemployment stood at 8.09%. For the first time in four years the VDAB recorded fewer UNEMPLOYED JOB SEEKERS young highly skilled unemployed 270,000 apr. 2001: 153,745 males than previously. As the number apr. 2002: 169,292 257,000 of jobs on offer is also on the rise, it is apr. 2003: 189,733 244,000 apr. 2004: 204,045 fair to talk of an economic upturn. In 231,000 2005 apr. 2005: 221,678 total there are now around 1,000 fewer 218,000 2004 205,000 young unemployed people than last 2003 year. For the first time the VDAB also 192,000 179,000 2002 introduced its new database Arvastat 166,000 2001 with statistics, tables and graphs on 153,000 the progress of employment (http://ar- 140,000 vastat.vdab.be). jmamjjf asond Source: DE TIJD

CARPET MANUFACTURING has already partly admitted his guilt and even paid a heavy tax penalty, 31 suspects in much to the annoyance of his father, Roger, who built Beaulieu up over sev- Beaulieu-case eral decades into the biggest carpet group in Western Europe. In the early The court has spent 15 years investigating the textile group and the 1990s he divided his empire between activities of Roger De Clerck and his six children his six children. But the sector has since entered a period of crisis as a result of over-capacity, falling margins russels Public Prosecutor's Office via fictitious accounts. Several banks and an image problem, as wall-to-wall B is demanding that legal action be are thought to have been involved. The carpet has had to give way to hard floor- taken against 31 suspects in the fraud fact that the investigation dragged on ing in most living rooms. In 2003 the case centring on the Beaulieu carpet for so long is not just the result of the total turnover of the carpet factories of empire of the De Clerck lack of resources and manpower the the former Beaulieu amounted to 2 bil- family. The court has spent 15 years examining magistrate was able to lion euros, the total loss 25 million investigating the textile group and the deploy, but also of the unwilling co- euros (FF). activities of Roger De Clerck and his six operation of the De Clerck family. children. The result is a 220-page claim There remains the open question of in which the owners are suspected of whether the eldest son, Jan De Clerck, having diverted tens of millions of who until recently headed up Domo, euros from the companies to the family will have a lucky escape. After all, he

focus on FLANDERS • 30 April - 6 May 2005 • Number 18 ECONOMY AND CULTURE 7

RENÉ DE WITTE • DE TIJD • 5 MAY system was set up with the former ceedings against their clients are not Bank van (now KBC) to con- being conducted within a reasonable The 31 suspects include Roger De vert currency smuggled from the UK time limit. Clerck, his six children, his six chil- into wages for employees. www.domo.be dren-in-law and his business partners Some of the 54 suspects will have a www.beaulieu.be Noël Demeulenaere and Harout lucky escape because the public prose- Katchadourian. cutor claims the facts are statute- The court believes it has sufficient evi- barred or because there is insufficient dence to take the 31 to court for proof of guilt. According to the Public forgery, falsification of annual ac- Prosecutor's Office, the case is not counts, abuse of trust, conspiracy and statute-barred because all the fraud removal of company property. systems had the same intention and Most dossiers deal with the systems the effect of the false documents is still with which according to the court the being felt today. De Clerck family unlawfully acquired The De Clerck family's lawyers have tens of millions of euros from its com- already lodged a complaint over the panies. The money was used to ille- slow progress of the court with the Eu- gally pay part of staff and owners' ropean Court of Human Rights in wages. The court even claims that a Strasbourg. They claim that the pro- ■

CULTURE can be explained. So much talent, from Belgian culture must be hot a country that has to make do without culturally obsessed politicians, a coun- try that tends to make cultural subsi- in France dies go a long way. Why has Belgium In a vigorous piece of analysis Le monde attempts to explain why their tiny got the patent on this imaginative neighbour has such a surplus of talented artists force that is unique, often provocative and often drenched in black humour? With Guy Duplat's book as a guide, Le n 2 May the French President there is no way round it: Belgian art is Monde explains that nothing much O Jacques Chirac opened his two- hot abroad, not least in France. Flem- has really changed with their small day Rencontres pour l'Europe de la Cul- ings and , for once united in neighbour: it is not a question of Bel- ture in Paris. Eighteen culture minis- the oh-so-chauvinistic France? An ex- gium suddenly wanting to assert itself ters and dozens of artists and planation is required. ‘culturally’. On the contrary, even. The intellectual names gave culture a Even Le Monde can no longer deny the country has collapsed into factions. prominent place on the European revolutionary Belgian artists. ‘The Bel- Flanders, seeking its own identity, sup- Forum. Chirac himself called for gian new wave’ (‘La nouvelle vague ports ‘its’ artists with great enthusi- umbrella European initiatives such as belge’) read the headline in the French asm, in some cases even pitchforking travelling exhibitions, a quality label broadsheet yesterday, right on the them into being cultural ambassadors. for heritage and a massive digital Euro- front page. In a vigorous piece of analy- On the other side of the linguistic bor- pean library, but also for diversity in sis the French attempt to explain why der, conversely, the government is cultural expressions as a barrier against their tiny neighbour has such a surplus wrestling with education budgets and commercial standardisation. On the of talented artists. There is no lack of support for the cultural sector is not a same day Le Monde asked on its front examples: the brothers Luc and Jean- top priority. page how it is that Belgium produces so Pierre Dardenne are taking part in the How can it be, then, that they both much cultural talent. After all, Flemish Cannes Film Festival competition for produce so much artistic talent? One and Walloon cultural players are cur- the third time in a row; this year Jan possible explanation lies in the di- rently showing off in France. The Wal- Fabre is Co-Director of Avignon The- vided, highly complex political situa- loon brothers Dardenne in Cannes, the atre Festival, where his L'Histoire des tion. A situation that incites both Wal- Flemish choreographers/theatre pro- larmes is on the programme; Alain Pla- loons and Flemings to creativity. ducers Jan Fabre and Alain Platel, Ger- tel is celebrating triumphs in the Finally: despite all their differences, ard Mortier as Director of the Paris Opéra Garnier in Paris, the metropolis Flemings and Francophones still have Opera and conductor and renowned where Gerard Mortier is at the head of something that binds us together, our Bach performer Philippe Herreweghe. the Opera. This little list, in itself im- own common source of inexhaustible The reason is a book by former editor- pressive, can easily be made much creativity: surrealism. in-chief of Guy Duplat, which longer. Visual artists Luc Tuymans and depicts 21 Belgian artists in Une Vague Wim Delvoye are also in great demand Belge (FF). in Paris, London and New York. And what about choreographer Anne Teresa ARMAND PLOTTIER EN JEROEN DE PRETER • De Keersmaeker, musicians such as DE MORGEN • 3 MAY Philippe Boesmans and Philippe Her- reweghe, authors such as Jean-Philippe As right-minded Belgians we did not Toussaint, not to mention Antwerp's dare say it ourselves. But now Le fashion designers? Monde has put it on its front page Le Monde asks how this blossoming ■

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• 19 May: Bo Skovhus - Christian Tet- • Until 15 May: Visionary Belgium, an zlaff - Tanja Tetzlaff - Lars Vogt with exhibition by the late Harald Szeeman Diary Schumann, De Singel, Antwerp; Bozar, Brussels; info: 02/507.82.00 info: www.desingel.be O3/248.28.28 www.bozar.be • 19 and 20 May: Maria José Franco, Fla- • Until 16 May: Mé-tissages, exhibition MUSIC, DANCE, THEATRE menco dance, Zuiderpershuis, Antwerp about art and textile, Miat (Museum for (www.zuiderpershuis.be) and Handels- Industrial Archeology and Textile, • 10 and 11 May: Sasha Waltz, beurs, Ghent; info: www.handelsbeurs.be Ghent; info: www.miat.gent.be Schaubühne am Leniner Platz, (09/265 91 65) • Until 5 June: El fruto de la fe, Flemish Impromptus, De Singel, Antwerp; • 21 May: Collegium Vocale and gothic art from La Palma, Sint-Pieters- info: www.desingel.be 03/248.28.28 Prometheus Ensemble, JS Bach and abdij, Ghent; info: www.gent.be/spa • 11 May: South San Gabriel, Handels- Gyorgy Kurtag, Handelsbeurs, Ghent; 09/243.97.30 beurs, Ghent; info: www.handelsbeurs.be (09/265 91 • Until 19 June: LCM / Laboratorio de la info: www.handelsbeurs.be 65), www.collegiumvocale.com Ciudad de Mexico – architects, Mexico (09/265 91 65) • 20 May: Polyphonic improvisation, City, exhibition De Singel, Antwerp; • 11 May: Sarah Bettens, Ancienne Bel- Huelgas Ensemble conducted by Paul info: www.desingel.be (03/248.28.28) gique, Brussels; Van Nevel, Flagey, Brussels; info: • Until 29 May: The Return of the info: www.abconcerts.be 02/548.28.28 www.flagey.be (O2/641 10 20) Swallows: Five Years in the Making, • 11 May: Mariza, Ancienne Belgique, • 20 and 21 May: Brussels Jazz Marathon exhibition by Els Dietvorst, Bozar, Brussels; info: www.abconcerts.be with Qu4tre, Mélanie de Biasio & Steve Brussels; info: www.bozar.be 02/548.28.28 Houben, Véra Zanello & Friends, • Until 28 May: Wrong time, wrong • 11 May: Spectra Ensemble conducted Dubicki – Tripodi Quintet and Jeff Neve place; exhibition In Flanders Fields by Philip Rathé, Process music with Trio , Flagey, Brussels; Museum, Ypres; info: 057 23 92 20 Ligeti, Reich, Rzewski and Goeyvaerts; info: www.flagey.be (O2/641 10 20) www.inflandersfields.be De Singel, Antwerp; info: www.desin- • Until 19 June: Airworld, design and gel.be 03/248.28.28 architecture in aviation, Design • 12 May: Daby Touré, (Fra/Maur), EXPO museum, Ghent; Zuiderpershuis, Antwerp; info: www.design.museum.be info: www.zuiderpershuis.be • From 5 February onwards: The memory +32 (0)9 267 99 99 • 12 May: Quirine Viersen/Silke Aven- of Congo, the colonial period, exhibition, • Until 26 June: Cast for eternity (bronze haus with compositions by Beethoven, Museum for Central Africa (); statues from India and the Himalaja in Barber and Chostakovitch, De Singel, info: www.175-25.be Belgian and Dutch collections ) Antwerp; info: www.desingel.be • Until 15 May: The Maroccan Jews, Etnographic museum, Antwerp; 03/248.28.28 Jewish Museum of Belgium, Brussels; info: +32 (0)3 220 86 00 • 12 and 13 May: The Musical Box, info: 02/512.19.63 • Until 19 June: ‘In/out of the treasure Ancienne Belgique, Brussels; info: • Until 15 May: Particular visions, rooms’: jewel collections – Diamond www.abconcerts.be 02/548.28.28 exhibition with work from studios of Museum, Antwerp; • 13 May: Oxalys with Metamorphosen disabled people; Bozar, Brussels; www.diamant.museum.be by Richard Strauss and Das Lied von der info: www.bozar.be • Until 19 June: Barry Flannagan, exhib- Erde by Gustav Mahler; • Until 15 May: Belgium 175-25, a tion, SMAK, Ghent; info: www.bijloke.be celebration programme with music, info: www.smak.be 09/221 17 03 • 16, 18, 19 and 20 May: Mario Joao & dance, theatre, Bozar, Brussels; • Until 4 September: Hidden worlds, art Mario Laginha Quartet, Flagey, Brus- info: www.bozar.be from artists with various backgrounds; sels/Handelsbeurs Ghent/ CC • Until 15 May: René Magritte and Museum Dr. Guislain, Ghent; and De Warande Turnhout; Photography, exhibition, Bozar, Brussels; info: www.museumdrguislain.be info www.flagey.be (02/641 10 20), info: www.bozar.be (0)9 216 35 95 www.handelsbeurs.be (09/265 91 65), • Until spring 2005: Loam Mosques in • Until 9 Octobre: Congo: Nature and 011/22 99 33, 014/41 69 91 Djenné (Mali), Photo exhibition, Bozar, Culture, exhibition; KMMA, Tervuren, • Until 12 May: Die Zauberflöte by WA Brussels; info: www.bozar.be +32 (0)2 769 52 11 Mozart, conductor: René Jacobs; De • From 19 March: Emotion Pictures, www.africamuseum.be Munt, Brussels; info: www.demunt.be exhibition, MuHKA, Antwerp; • Until 14 August: Beyond Desire/ • Until 13 May in Ghent, until 31 May in info: www.muhka.be Desire, attitude and styling in African Antwerp: Rinaldo, Opera by GF Haendel, • From 19 March: The Final Floor Show, and Western culture - MoMu, Antwerp director: Nigel Lowery, Flanders Opera exhibition, Objectif Exhibitions, Borger- +32 (0)3 470 27 70 www.momu.be House, Ghent and De Singel, Antwerp, hout (Antwerp) • Until 31 December: Master pieces from info: www.vlaamseopera.be • From 19 March: Are we changing the the Dutch treasure room, KMSK, • 18 May: Concert Vesselina Kasarova world? Exhibition, Extra City, Antwerp Antwerp; info: www.kmsk.be and de Munt Orchestra with Haendel, • Until 15 May: Moroccon Jews – Two Gluck, Mozart, De Munt, Brussels; cultures in one, Jewish Museum, ■ info: www.demunt.be la flan Brussels ur dre s • s f u o c c o u f s

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k Cauwelaert (director Knack), Wim Coessens (Man- u • Responsible editor: aging director, De Morgen), Frans Crols (Director, Luc Demeester, Marke Trends), Francis Decoster (Information Officer, •48 issues ), Mark Deweerdt (Journalist, Focus on Flanders provides a weekly • Subscription rate by post and e-mail: 220 euro Financieel-Economische Tijd), Michael Stabenow • Either transfer the sum to account no.: overview of articles from the Flemish press (Correspondent, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung), 472-1010001-19 with the KBC in Roeselare Luc Standaert (Journalist, Belang van ), Jan and appears in English, French and German. Or give us the number and expiry date of your cred- Van Doren (Deputy Director, Vlaams Economisch This newsletter is published it card (Visa/Eurocard): Verbond), Bernard Bulcke (De Standaard) Telephone: 051/42.42.99 •With thanks to: Concentra nv, De Vlijt nv, de by Uitgeverij Lannoo nv, Fax: 051/40.11.52 Vlaamse Uitgeversmaatschappij nv, De Persgroep Kasteelstraat 97, 8700 Tielt E-mail: [email protected] nv, Uitgeversbedrijf Tijd nv and Roularta Media and can also be obtained Group nv and their editorial teams for supplying the articles. by e-mail.

focus on FLANDERS • 30 April - 6 May 2005 • Number 18