What is the risk for my employer if I have no documents?
An employer may be heavily penalised if they have people working off the books or clandestinely. There may be a hefty fine or a prison sentence. Punishments are the most severe for work carried out off the books. Your employer’s punishment may be even more severe if they are failing to comply with other laws. […]
What steps can I take to enforce my rights?
Carry out a negotiation yourself. Some employers are open to discussion. Colleagues are often able to help with this. If your employer mistreats you or doesn’t pay you however, you should leave. Employers who claim they will pay you later, rarely do. Ask for help It can sometimes help if a documented person goes with […]
Employees and employers: what’s the difference?
Employee An employee is someone who works for a employer (boss). An employer says when and where you have to work, pays you wages, provides you with materials to work with and checks your work. Another word for boss is employer. Who is your employer? Officially, your employer is the person who decides: whether you’re […]
What is working legally?
Every employer is obliged to inform the government of who works for them and how much they pay in wages. The people who work for an employer automatically pay taxes and social security contributions from their wages (see an explanation of gross and net wages). In addition, an employer must personally pay an extra sum […]
What is working off the books?
Working off the books is when an employer doesn’t register you with the government. Your employer risks a hefty fine for this. An employee will not be entitled to pension or health insurance, for example. If you have no legal residence, and there is an inspection in the workplace, you run the risk of ending […]
What is working off the books?
Working off the books is working as a non-Belgium in Belgium, without permission to work in Belgium. If you’re not Belgian, and not a citizen of an EU member state, you must be given permission by the government to work here. There are some foreigners who don’t need this permission. For all others – and […]
What is stealth work?
Stealth work is when someone works as a self-employed person but hasn’t officially been recognised as self-employed. If you place an advert offering your services, you decide where and when you will work, how much you will earn and you will work with your own materials, you can be regarded as being false self-employed. In […]
FAIRWORK Belgium for Domestic Staff
Domestic staff We organise meet-ups every Sunday in the centre of Brussels for a group of housekeepers (m/f) (with or without legal residence) mainly from the Philippines and Latin America. During these meet-ups, you can take part in the following activities: French lessons at two levels: beginner and advanced Training on employement rights: We explain […]
Is there medical help for people without legal residence?
What you should do: Ask your doctor in advance to give you an ‘urgent medical assistance certificate’. Take this within 1 month, to the OCMW or municipality where you reside most of the time. Ask them to start the ‘Urgent Medical Assistance’ procedure. Explain your situation. Ask expressly to speak to social services.
How can I find a job?
If you have legal residence in Belgium, checkhere whether you’re allowed to work first. If you are not yet in Belgium but you want to come and work in Belgium, check here whether this will be possible first. Organisations in Belgium that help people find work are in Flanders VDAB, in Brussels Actiris and in […]
