The Flemish Minister of Labour, Philippe Muyters (N-VA) has reached an agreement with the Flemish small services sector for introducing the use of “mystery clients” in order to reduce possible discrimination, announced the minister Thursday before the Flemish Parliament. A survey carried out last year in the Flemish Region caused quite a stir. Out of 251 cleaning companies surveyed, 165 responded favourably to petitions from fictitious clients requesting the services of cleaning ladies who were not of foreign origin.
Following one year of negotiations with the sector, Minister Muyters finally reached an agreement.
The mystery clients will in fact be employed in the Flemish services sector, but governed by the sector itself. According to the minister, it is more an awareness-building tool than one of control as such.
Inspections may however be realized for repeated infractions.
A sensitization campaign against discrimination will be realized simultaneously by the authorities.
(Source: Belga)
