During a recent appearance on LN24, Brussels Minister for Employment and Training, Bernard Clerfayt, made comments regarding the employment status of women in the Brussels region, stating that many women still follow a traditional Mediterranean family model where the man works and the woman stays at home. This sparked controversy and outrage from the PS and Ecolo parties in the majority, who criticized the remarks as discriminatory and unjustified. Clerfayt defended his comments by pointing out the 10% unemployment gap between men and women in Brussels, including native Italians, and encouraging a change in mentality that allows women the right to work and be financially independent. In response, PS and Ecolo members stressed the need to address structural obstacles that hinder women’s employment opportunities, rather than relying on cultural stereotypes. The controversy surrounding Clerfayt’s comments highlights the ongoing debate around gender equality and employment in Brussels, and the need for continued efforts to promote inclusivity and diversity in the workplace.
”There are still many women in the Brussels Region who follow a Mediterranean model, a family model where it is the gentleman who works and the lady who stays at home”. Held this morning on LN24 by the Brussels Minister for Employment and Trainingthese remarks shocked the two other parties of the majority, PS and Ecolo.
Bernard Clerfayt observes that there are 10 percentage points between men and women from Brussels who are unemployed in Brussels. “It’s a reality”, he observes. “This is the case for native Italians too. I encourage changing these mentalities because everyone is better off if they work. The emancipation of women also means that they have the right to have a job”, he continued.
In a press release – on TikTok – the PS group leader Ridouane Chahid judges these remarks “unacceptable and discriminatory”. “The low employment rate of women in Brussels is not the result of individual responsibility, several obstacles persist concerning the employment of women”. […] “To stigmatize people on their origins to justify the failure of its policy is not dignified.”
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In the same press release, MP Fadila Laanan says she is “Dismayed and revolted. […] These comments are outrageous and outrageous.”
“Structural racism exists. We must strive to remove the obstacles to the employment of women rather than justifying this situation by a form of cultural determinism”concludes the press release from the PS.
On the Ecolo side, her colleague Barbara Trachte, in charge of Economic Transition in the Brussels government, is more measured. “Cher @BernardClerfayt, here once more there are objectively and structurally more obstacles to the employment of women, particularly of foreign origin. This is what we must tackle, rather than relaying stereotypes”, a-t-elle tweet.
The president of the Brussels PTB also criticized the exit of the elected Challenge. “Sir @BernardClerfayt, my mother, Italian, started at the age of 19 in the factory and has never stopped working. Deal with job discrimination and more public nurseries, rather than shameful cliché statements.”
The recent comments made by Brussels Minister for Employment and Training, Bernard Clerfayt, have caused a stir amongst his political counterparts. The issue of a significant gap between men and women’s unemployment rate in Brussels is a matter that requires attention, and attributing it to cultural determinism only fuels the problem. Rather than echoing stereotypes, it’s crucial to address the structural obstacles that women, especially those of foreign origin, encounter while attempting to enter the workforce. Focusing on promoting equal opportunities and fighting job discrimination can bring regarding a real change, as we strive towards a more equitable society for all.
