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17 November 2000
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CESCR
24th session
17 November 2000
Afternoon
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights this afternoon continued its consideration of a second periodic report of Belgium by querying a Government delegation about the social impact of the campaign against the paedophile scandal of 1996.
Over the course of their consideration of the Belgian report, Experts raised follow-up questions in which they asked why the number of unemployed women was reportedly 60 per cent higher than that of men; why the discrimination against women in employment had led to the feminization of poverty; why foreign workers were rejected; about the social impact of the Government's campaign against the criminal activities involving paedophile and child pornography since the network was discovered in 1996; about the high number of divorce cases; and about the situation of unaccompanied child asylum-seekers, who according to sources were sent back when they reached 18 years, among other things.
As one of the 143 States parties to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Belgium is obligated to present periodic reports to the Committee on the achievements reached through the implementation of the provisions of the treaty.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Committee held a one-hour private preliminary discussion on its draft concluding observations and recommendations on the report of Finland, which it has already considered.
When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Monday, 20 November, it will conclude its discussion on the report of Belgium. In the afternoon, it is scheduled to start its consideration of the second periodic report of Yugoslavia.
Discussion
At the beginning of the meeting, an Expert, referring to a document published by an economic intelligence service, said that the number of unemployed women was 60 per cent higher than that of men; in 1997 and 1998, such discrimination had continued in wage payment and workplace; and as a result the situation had led to the feminization of poverty. The Expert wanted to know if measures had been taken to improve the condition of women or if it was still the same. Other Experts asked why foreign workers were rejected; and about the situation of elderly persons, among other things.
In response to the questions, the delegation said Belgium had the highest number of trade unions which were governed by the law. The mechanism in which the trade unions were run and the system of bargaining and collective agreements were exemplary. The trade unions were represented in the country's national labour council. Compared to other countries, Belgium had a number of collective bargaining agreements. However, the system of trade union representation should be improved and a reform was envisaged following the recommendations of the International Labour Office (ILO).
There were various ways in which elderly persons were taken care of, the delegation said; on the pension scheme, there were two systems: legal and bargained. Since many persons went into the systems earlier than the start of their pension, gainful activities were reduced while the financial expense for the payment of the pension was rising.
On the rejection of foreign workers alluded to by an Expert, the delegation said there had not been major problems in the cohabitation and integration of foreigners. However, it was true that in the last 20 years, Belgium had stopped allowing migrant workers in. It was in exceptional cases, particularly for family unification, that migration was allowed. Despite that situation, there had been tension in some places like the port of Antwerp involving foreigners. The population structure of Antwerp was not different than the rest of the country. Activities of right-wing movements were more concentrated in that port city; and the work of groups in Antwerp did not amount to a Government policy against foreigners.
The devaluation of women's work was not an expressed will of the Government, the delegation said; it was attributed to the structure of the labour market. Since payment of employment benefits had no time limit and because women wanted to devote their time to other activities, the number of officially unemployed women had risen.
Belgium had a problem of under-qualification among the youth, who discontinued their studies in order to join the labour market as early as possible, the delegation said. The Government was actually reviewing the relationship between schools and vocational training in order to improve this situation.
In follow-up questions, a Committee Expert asked about the social effect of the Government's campaign against the criminal activities involving paedophile and child pornography since the network was discovered in 1996. Another Expert said the number of cases of divorce in Belgium was high, and wanted to know the root causes. The delegation's attention was also drawn to the situation of unaccompanied child asylum-seekers, who according to sources were sent back when they reached 18 years.
Following the discovery of the paedophile scandal in 1996, the Government had taken measures including an awareness-raising campaign on the issue, the delegation said. Belgium was convinced that international assistance and cooperation was essential to tackle the criminal network.
The policy on abortion did not lead to a spectacular and dramatic situation in the country, the delegation said. A network of associations existed to advise couples planning to terminate a pregnancy, and it included centres for family planning.
* *** *
24th session
17 November 2000
Afternoon
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights this afternoon continued its consideration of a second periodic report of Belgium by querying a Government delegation about the social impact of the campaign against the paedophile scandal of 1996.
Over the course of their consideration of the Belgian report, Experts raised follow-up questions in which they asked why the number of unemployed women was reportedly 60 per cent higher than that of men; why the discrimination against women in employment had led to the feminization of poverty; why foreign workers were rejected; about the social impact of the Government's campaign against the criminal activities involving paedophile and child pornography since the network was discovered in 1996; about the high number of divorce cases; and about the situation of unaccompanied child asylum-seekers, who according to sources were sent back when they reached 18 years, among other things.
As one of the 143 States parties to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Belgium is obligated to present periodic reports to the Committee on the achievements reached through the implementation of the provisions of the treaty.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Committee held a one-hour private preliminary discussion on its draft concluding observations and recommendations on the report of Finland, which it has already considered.
When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Monday, 20 November, it will conclude its discussion on the report of Belgium. In the afternoon, it is scheduled to start its consideration of the second periodic report of Yugoslavia.
Discussion
At the beginning of the meeting, an Expert, referring to a document published by an economic intelligence service, said that the number of unemployed women was 60 per cent higher than that of men; in 1997 and 1998, such discrimination had continued in wage payment and workplace; and as a result the situation had led to the feminization of poverty. The Expert wanted to know if measures had been taken to improve the condition of women or if it was still the same. Other Experts asked why foreign workers were rejected; and about the situation of elderly persons, among other things.
In response to the questions, the delegation said Belgium had the highest number of trade unions which were governed by the law. The mechanism in which the trade unions were run and the system of bargaining and collective agreements were exemplary. The trade unions were represented in the country's national labour council. Compared to other countries, Belgium had a number of collective bargaining agreements. However, the system of trade union representation should be improved and a reform was envisaged following the recommendations of the International Labour Office (ILO).
There were various ways in which elderly persons were taken care of, the delegation said; on the pension scheme, there were two systems: legal and bargained. Since many persons went into the systems earlier than the start of their pension, gainful activities were reduced while the financial expense for the payment of the pension was rising.
On the rejection of foreign workers alluded to by an Expert, the delegation said there had not been major problems in the cohabitation and integration of foreigners. However, it was true that in the last 20 years, Belgium had stopped allowing migrant workers in. It was in exceptional cases, particularly for family unification, that migration was allowed. Despite that situation, there had been tension in some places like the port of Antwerp involving foreigners. The population structure of Antwerp was not different than the rest of the country. Activities of right-wing movements were more concentrated in that port city; and the work of groups in Antwerp did not amount to a Government policy against foreigners.
The devaluation of women's work was not an expressed will of the Government, the delegation said; it was attributed to the structure of the labour market. Since payment of employment benefits had no time limit and because women wanted to devote their time to other activities, the number of officially unemployed women had risen.
Belgium had a problem of under-qualification among the youth, who discontinued their studies in order to join the labour market as early as possible, the delegation said. The Government was actually reviewing the relationship between schools and vocational training in order to improve this situation.
In follow-up questions, a Committee Expert asked about the social effect of the Government's campaign against the criminal activities involving paedophile and child pornography since the network was discovered in 1996. Another Expert said the number of cases of divorce in Belgium was high, and wanted to know the root causes. The delegation's attention was also drawn to the situation of unaccompanied child asylum-seekers, who according to sources were sent back when they reached 18 years.
Following the discovery of the paedophile scandal in 1996, the Government had taken measures including an awareness-raising campaign on the issue, the delegation said. Belgium was convinced that international assistance and cooperation was essential to tackle the criminal network.
The policy on abortion did not lead to a spectacular and dramatic situation in the country, the delegation said. A network of associations existed to advise couples planning to terminate a pregnancy, and it included centres for family planning.
* *** *