Molenbeek (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Since January 2025, 21 workers at the CPAS in Brussels have lost their jobs due to funding cuts, worsening conditions for the remaining staff. Unions protested for better social services.
Since January 2025, 13 social workers and 8 administrative workers at the Public Centre for Social Welfare (CPAS) in Brussels have lost their jobs. This is due to a lack of funding from the Brussels Region. The loss of these workers makes things harder for the remaining social workers. They were already handling too many cases, and now they have even more work to do.
Gérardine Bastin, the outgoing chairwoman of CPAS, is very worried about this situation. She says it will cause delays in helping people. Those who need support will have to wait longer for assistance. The reception staff often faces angry clients. The CPAS is also facing penalties for not providing support within the legal limit of 30 days.
How will Arizona coalition cuts impact Brussels OCMWs?
On Tuesday morning, 14 January 2025, socialist and liberal unions met at the OCMW offices on Alphonse Vandenpeereboomstraat to protest job losses and poor working conditions. The unions are asking for better support and resources for employees. Their goal is to ensure that workers can do their jobs well and that people in need get the help they deserve.
The problems are not just piling up here,
says a union member.
The lack of funding is a widespread problem in the Brussels OCMWs.
The unions are very worried about the new federal government in Belgium, called the “Arizona” coalition. This coalition includes N-VA, Vooruit, CD&V, MR, and Les Engagés. They fear that cutting unemployment benefits will lead to more people needing help from the OCMWs. This would put extra strain on social services that are already busy.
The Arizona coalition wants to fix Belgium’s budget issues, but the unions believe that limiting benefits could make it harder for OCMWs to support those in need. This situation may cause delays in getting help to vulnerable people.
What are the consequences of funding cuts on staffing at CPAS in Brussels?
The staffing problems at CPAS in Brussels are getting worse. This is because the Brussels Region is giving less money for social services. In late 2023, CPAS centers in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean and Schaerbeek protested. They faced cuts that would take away €20 million in funding for 2024.
The staff shortages have been increasing since the COVID-19 pandemic. The ongoing energy crisis and the situation in Ukraine have made things worse. These money problems make it hard to provide good services to people who need help. CPAS workers are now striking and protesting. They want more money, better working conditions, and more staff.
