11pc of immigrant women have a job

3 April 2006

BRUSSELS — New figures indicate that just 11 percent of Turkish and Moroccan women living in Belgium are employed.

The figures are taken from the sample group of Turkish and Moroccan women aged 15-64.

In comparison, the national statistics office said 54 percent of native Belgian women in the same age group have a job.

Liberal VLD MP Annemie Turtelboom claimed the disparity means many immigrant women are not being allowed to work.

She urged for government measures to be taken, such as obligating unemployed women to learn Dutch or the suspension of social security benefits if people refuse employment.

Subject: Belgian news