A COMMON HOME MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN BELGIUM COMMON HOME series Researched and written by Jean-Michel Lafleur and Abdeslam Marfouk with the contribution of Tom Devriendt, Elise Kervyn, Laure Leclipteur, Pieter Van Roeyen and Elisabeth Verniers (Caritas International Belgium). Contributions and edits by Olga Kadysheva, Patrick Taran and Piyasiri Wickramasekara (Global Migration Policy Associates – GMPA), Davide Gnes and Shannon Pfohman (Caritas Europa). This publication is part of MIND (Migration. Interconnectedness. Development), a 3-year project financed by the European Commission (DG DEVCO). The aim is to raise public awareness regarding the relation between sustainable development and migration and the European Union’s role in development cooperation. Led by Caritas Austria, the partners of the MIND project are: Caritas Bavaria (Germany), Caritas International Belgium, Caritas Bulgaria, Caritas Czech Republic, Caritas Europa, Caritas Italy, Cordaid (Caritas Netherlands), Caritas Portugal, Caritas Slovakia, Caritas Slovenia and Caritas Sweden. For more information about MIND follow the campaign: This publication was proofread by Mauricio Ruiz, Richard Tuffs and Michael Ward. Graphic design by Vanden Broele Group with the support of Leticia Lozano (Caritas Europa). Layout by Anne Van Hootegem. Cover illustration by Jean Bernard Boulnois. Published by Caritas International, Rue de la Charité 43, 1210 Brussels - Belgium, May 2019. This publication was produced in the framework of the MIND project, which has received financial support from the DEAR Programme of the European Union. The information contained in this publication does not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the European Union. Caritas reserves the right to not be held responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the information provided in this publication. Liability claims regarding damage caused by the use of any information provided, including any information which is incomplete or incorrect, will therefore be rejected. TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD 7 CHAPTER 3. OBSTACLES HINDERING MIGRANTS’ CONTRIBUTION 37 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 9 Lack of safe and legal pathways 37 Access to basic rights 39 GLOSSARY 12 Access to the labour market 41 Public opinion and political discourse 45 VISION AND VALUES OF CARITAS: MIGRATION, DEVELOPMENT Access to the nationality 46 AND HUMAN RIGHTS 13 Specific obstacles to the contribution to the Migration 14 country of origin 47 Development 14 Migration and development 15 CHAPTER 4. NATIONAL AND PRACTICES FACILITATING MIGRANTS’ CONTRIBUTION 49 INTRODUCTION 17 A better contribution to Belgium 50 A better contribution to the country of origin 53 CHAPTER 1. THE MIGRATORY CONTEXT OF BELGIUM 19 Migration and development in Belgian history 19 CHAPTER 5. CONCLUSION 57 Migration in Belgium today 21 Legal access to the territory and lawful residence 23 CHAPTER 6. RECOMMENDATIONS 59 International protection 24 REFERENCES 63 CHAPTER 2. REALITY ON THE GROUND: THE CONTRIBUTION OF MIGRANTS TO DEVELOPMENT 29 INTERVIEWS 69 D Migrants’ contributions to Belgium 29 Migrants’ contributions to the country of origin 33 5 FOREWORD t has been a little over a year since Caritas International Istarted to reflect on what binds two of its core preoccupations: migration and development. Migration comes in many shapes and often brings along many Our expertise in these areas supports our work of advocacy challenges for the newcomers as well as for our society. Our with the ambition of reaching a greater public, citizens as well organisation has been welcoming migrants and refugees in as policy makers. Through this report, we hope to show what Belgium for many decades. We have been accompanying them, we see as crucial questions and to offer solutions to make our and defending their right to access social and legal services, both society a warm and welcoming place for all. here and in their country of origin. This makes us no strangers to the challenges of migration. Sometimes these challenges take This report was written with the financial support of the European the form of injustices. We consider it out mission to denounce Commission for the MIND project. The implementation the unjust situations and obstacles with which many migrants of the MIND project so far has been a particularly rich and are confronted with, often on a daily basis. us. educational experience. Not only has it allowed us to reflect on the pressing challenges within our organisation and in our This brings us to search and advocate for structural solutions. society, but it has also opened doors to collaborate closely with Migration does not only come with its challenges, it also offers excellent researchers—two of whom are the main authors of opportunities that we daily witness, if it is handled correctly and this report and whom I would like to name and thank explicitly with solidarity—opportunities such as mutual learning, as well Jean-Michel Lafleur and Abdeslam Marfouk. as social, cultural and economic development. These benefits apply to all of us, here and elsewhere, because the many paths that lead from migration to development not only converge in Belgium. They are also visible in the regions where Caritas International supports its partners in securing and implementing food, nutrition, health and sanitation programmes. François Cornet, National Director, Caritas International Belgium May, 2019 7 8 © Hélène Leduc EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ased on an in-depth analysis of current events, policies, and than 215,000 immigrants originating from Morocco, or 11.5% Bdebates related to migration and development in Belgium, of the Belgium’s total immigrant population, Morocco is the this report develops knowledge, evidence and analysis to answer top country of origin for immigrants to Belgium. Morocco is the following guiding question: How, and in what circumstances, followed by France (10.1%), the Netherlands (7.1%), Italy (6.5%) can migrants contribute to their own integral human development, and Turkey (5.6%). as well as that of their societies of origin and residence? In 2016, free movement from EU countries made up the most The first part of this report gives a brief overview of migration significant channel for permanent migration to Belgium (54.6% in Belgium. Migration has been a central feature of Belgium’s of the migrant population). Family reunification was the second society and economy since its founding in 1830. Originally a most significant (27%), followed by migration for humanitarian country of emigration, Belgian migrants went to work in France, reasons (about 16%) and for employment (2.6%). Today, family the United States and Canada during the 19th Century, and reunification remains one of the few viable options for non-EU sought refuge during the two World Wars. During the interbellum nationals to travel to Belgium legally, as migrating to Belgium period, Belgium became one of the main destinations for foreign for employment, studies or international protection has become workers as heavy industries developed and required labour. more difficult for third country nationals. However, the economic decline and rising unemployment of the All foreigners arriving in Belgium have the right to apply for late 1960s required a new response. The government returned international protection. In 2017, 15,373 people applied for to a strict application of existing immigration laws and adopted international protection in Belgium for the first time. That same new laws on the matter. Despite these restrictions, the number year, the CGRS granted international protection to 13,933 people. of immigrants arriving annually in Belgium continued to grow The main legal channel for seeking international protection until 2011. Migrant flows then fluctuated, with decreases that in Belgium is the UN-led refugee resettlement program. In were mainly a result of restrictive immigration policies towards 2017, the number of resettled refugees accounted for 8.5% of non-EU nationals, and increases such as those seen in 2015. the population of those who had been granted international protection in Belgium. Belgian law does not provide explicit The history of Belgium shows how migrants have played an rules for issuing visas on humanitarian grounds. They are instead important role in creating Belgium as we know it today. This issued at the discretion of the Secretary of State for Asylum and includes the contributions of early waves of Italian, Moroccan, Migration or his representative. and Turkish migrants to post-war reconstruction and to the development of the welfare state. Today, migration continues The second part of this report provides an in-depth analysis of to contribute to the development of contemporary Belgium in the effect that contemporary migration has on development. It various ways. focuses specifically on the various contributions that migrants make to the economic, political, and social aspects of Belgian Immigrants (people who are born abroad) constitute 16.4% of society, and of their countries of origin. A positive net outcome the Belgian population. The proportion of international migrants of migration is the increase in the variety of goods available within a given population varies significantly depending on to consumers in the migrants’ new country of residence. By the region. 45% of those living in Brussels are immigrants, leveraging connections with their country of origin, migrants compared to 15% in Wallonia and 12% in Flanders. Most can develop cross-country economic activity and