Brussels community centres cut jobs over failed exams

A majority of employees without indefinite contracts at Flemish community centres in Brussels have lost their jobs as a result of an examination, given to all staff with temporary contracts. The failure rate of the recruitment and promotions exam was 60%, with more results to come.

The personnel affected are all working on temporary contracts, in many cases after repeated renewals, but those contracts will now not be extended beyond 30 June for those who failed the exam. Both staff members who are losing their jobs and contracted staff were angry about the exams, which, they say, have cost them many valuable employees.

Bruno De Lille of the Flemish Community Commission (VGC), which employs community centre staff and administered the exams, said he understands the emotional reactions. “I work regularly with a number of the staff who did not pass, so I understand their situation,” he said. “However, VGC’s hands are tied because of the rules, which state that an indefinite contract can only be accorded after passing the exam”.

The VGC looks after the interests of the Flemish community in Brussels and its board also includes ministers Guy Vanhengel and Brigitte Grouwels. The organisation had done everything to ensure the examinations were carried out objectively and honestly, said De Lille.

Particularly hard hit were De Maalbeek in Etterbeek, which will lose its director, Ciska Vandendriessche, who has been in the post for five years, and De Kriekelaar in Schaarbeek (pictured), which loses its cultural functionary and its head of child education.

Of the 527 people who have taken the exam so far, 292 did not pass. Another 150 people are still awaiting their results.

Unions have contested the relevancy of the exams, which were postponed for five years while a suitable formula was found. “It is extremely doubtful now whether vacation work and autumn activities will go ahead,” one representative said. “That depends on each centre, but a great deal of expertise has now been thrown overboard.” The 22 centres concerned will close on 8 May in a collective protest, unions said.

Photo: Cultuurcentrumbrussel.be