Espace-Populations-Societes
2011, Pages 195-213

Gender differences and labor mobility of Congolese migrants (DRC) in Belgium [Différences de genre en matière de mobilité professionnelle des migrants congolais (RDC) en Belgique] (Article)

Vause S.*
  • a Centre de recherche en démographie et Sociétés, Université Catholique de Louvain I, Place Montesquieu - Boîte 17, B 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium

Abstract

This study aims to identify determinants of the labor mobility of Congolese migrants (DRC) in Belgium. Using survey data, we highlight the characteristics of Congolese migrants living in Belgium through their educational level and their professional status. In spite of their high level of qualification, Congolese migrants have to cope with a strong rate of underemployment. Among those who get to work, many are overqualified. Downward, lateral or upward patterns of labor mobility associated with the migration are identified through a comparison of their work experience on the Congolese labor market and in Belgium. Secondly, we study the main determinants of this labor mobility. The focus is put on sociode-mographic characteristics (sex, age, family composition, nationality), the human capital resources (education, past professional experience), as well as social capital (network at destination) and migratory project (reasons of the departure, papers). The results indicate that women are more likely than men to face a downward labor mobility, particularly when they arrive along with their husband or rejoin them. Men are more likely to find a similar job than in DR Congo, especially if they have close relatives in Belgium.

Author Keywords

Congolese migrations Belgium Labor mobility Gender

Index Keywords

labor migration labor mobility migrants experience Belgium gender disparity labor market African immigrant migrant worker

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84555190017&partnerID=40&md5=8319e7c6212763e7510bf7b6729abc06

ISSN: 07557809
Cited by: 2
Original Language: French