Cape Town – Belgium is stepping up efforts to recruit skilled South African workers, offering salaries of up to R90,000 a month, relocation assistance and as many as 42 days away from work annually, including public holidays, as European employers grapple with skills shortages.
According to BusinessTech, the recruitment drive is targeting technical and industrial workers, with monthly gross salaries ranging from about R52,700 to R92,800, depending on the position and employer.
The initiative brings together Belgium-based Forum Jobs HR Group and South African recruitment and immigration firm Beaver Recruitment & Migration to connect South African candidates with Belgian employers.
“This is no longer exploratory recruitment—this is structured, ongoing hiring. Europe is building long-term pipelines from South Africa,” Beaver Recruitment SA managing director Nicholas Avramis said, according to the report.
The programme is targeting maintenance technicians, millwrights, industrial electricians, mechanics, manufacturing technicians and skilled artisans, alongside workers in engineering, logistics, construction and manufacturing.
Employment packages
Some employment packages include signing bonuses, employer-funded flights, visa costs and accommodation assistance. Certain arrangements may also provide support for relocating family members and helping spouses find employment.
BusinessTech reported that Belgium had more than 163,000 job vacancies and a vacancy rate of 4.1%, with an ageing population and a mismatch between available skills and employers’ requirements contributing to recruitment challenges.
Belgium’s appeal is also reflected in its work-life balance record. According to Remote’s 2025 Global Life-Work Balance Index, the country ranked third among 60 countries assessed, scoring 75.91 out of 100.
The index considers factors including paid leave, statutory sick pay, maternity benefits, wages, healthcare and working hours. Remote reported that Belgium’s average working week was 34.1 hours, while its employment protections and social benefits contributed to its strong ranking.
The ranking provides broader context for Belgium’s appeal to international workers, although individual salaries, leave entitlements and benefits depend on employment contracts and applicable labour rules.
Rraudulent overseas recruitment schemes
The recruitment drive also reflects a wider trend of international employers seeking South African talent, particularly in occupations requiring technical training and practical experience.
However, prospective applicants have been urged to exercise caution amid fraudulent overseas recruitment schemes. Avramis told BusinessTech that some job seekers had lost money to fake offers, while others had resigned from secure employment after being promised jobs that did not exist.
Applicants should verify recruitment agencies, employers, written contracts and work-permit requirements before paying fees or resigning from existing positions. The advertised salaries are gross amounts before tax and social security deductions, meaning take-home pay will be lower.
For skilled South Africans considering employment abroad, Belgium presents potential opportunities for higher earnings and improved work-life balance, but the actual benefits will depend on the role, employer and terms of employment.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: Pixabay
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
