Presented at: GSEF2016 Montreal

Organisation: SAW-B (SSE organization)

Date: September 7, 2016

Presenter: Mr.Jean-Luc Bodson (Policy officer)

Contacts: jl.bodson@gmail.com

Summary:

The Belgian context is favourable to developing social clauses at the legislative level. Social clauses primarily target efforts in the socio-professional integration of target audiences and the integration of persons with disabilities. The Walloon political authority places emphasis on the development of social clauses. A network of facilitators for social clauses was established, including the Public Service of Wallonia, represented by the Department of Sustainable Development, a construction workers’ representative organization, SAW-B, etc., and three terms of social clauses are aggressively promoted in the employment markets, with two of them involving work integration social enterprises (market reservation clause and flexible clause). Through public subsidies, SAW-B, a pioneer in supporting the development of social clauses, now mans a helpdesk and prospective analysis service for contracting authorities. Additionally, sectoral platforms for work integration social enterprises are managed around public market positioning. Meetings between work integration social enterprises and traditional businesses are organized to bring them closer together and stimulate diverse partnership approaches.