Belgium

By: Kacie Matthews

Country Overview

Belgium, a country located on Western Europe, has different cases of migrant workers who face exploitation in various sections, such as agriculture, domestic services, and more. Many migrant workers don’t exercise their given rights as faced with various strings which can create fleeing issues, nonetheless don’t deserve migrant exploitation.

Statistics

• 93 confirmed victims of migrant exploitation in which they were facing more than one form of exploitation

•  47 Males, and 46 Females, and an additional 61 victims of labor exploitation

• 2022: 176 victims of labor exploitation

• 2021: 151 victims of labor exploitation

• 2020: 91 victims of labor exploitation 

• Main employment sectors: Construction, Agriculture, Cleaning Services, and Restaurants

Top Countries of Origin

• Romania

• France

• Africa

Remittance Data

• Share of GDP: 3.5%

• Annual Remittance inflow: 7 Million dollars

Legal Gaps

Many face weak protections as they are at risk of deportation, and lack awareness of the unfairness around them. As there may be a language barrier many employers take advantage of their workers, and these workers aren’t up-to-date with their rights, and are being held back from information. Along with that, Belgium has many regulatory gaps that keep workers at a higher risk of exploitation, such as not providing much asylum support. Migrant workers immigrate from different regions around the world, and Belgium doesn’t offer them the assistance, whether that be payments, jobs, or housing leaving migrants at a higher risk of exploitation as many may be desperate to gather around the clock jobs for less than minimum wage. 

NGO & Support Resources

• Confederation of Christian

• Helpline in Belgium Trade Unions

“I don’t feel like I have a big role here in Belgium” (Science Direct)

Sources 

“Belgium - United States Department of State.” United States Department of State, 30 Sept. 2025, www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/belgium/. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

“Belgium.” Migrants & Refugees Section, migrants-refugees.va/country-profile/belgium/.

Nations, United. “Migration: Remittances Reach 7 Billion Dollars per Year in Belgium.” United Nations Western Europe, 18 Dec. 2024, unric.org/en/migration-remittances-reach-7-billion-dollars-per-year-in-belgium/. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Klaver, Kaya, et al. ““I Don’t Feel like I Have a Big Role Here in Belgium” the Societal Participation of Migrantised Women in Antwerp (Belgium).” Societal Impacts, vol. 5, June 2025, p. 100108, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socimp.2025.100108. Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.