Why do so many working class people in Belgium live in poverty after taxes?
Belgium's average tax rate 42% (higher if you are single with no children). Belgium makes Wal-Mart look like a saint to the working classes.
Politics - 7 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
because they are lazy and need to find better jobs & i bet they aint complaining about healthcare! :p
2 :
I don't think you know what you are talking about. Belgium has a high standard of living with only 4% of its people below the poverty line, compared to about 15% in the US.
3 :
Belgium ranks very high on standard of living indexes and is stable at their position, while the US is declining. Tax rate isn't everything.
4 :
classical liberal and socialist societies perpetuate the idea of "distribution of the wealth" its never carried out like it should in theory, just costs the taxpayers a lot because the government has a hard time grasping the concept of a limited budget.
5 :
did he died?
6 :
Too bad it's not true - people in the Benelux countries mostly have a very good standard of living, and much of that has to do with free higher education, low cost healthcare, and many social help programs for people that need it. And COMPANIES often do better here because they don't have to provide expensive healthcare for their workers, and people sue far LESS OFTEN because everybody gets treated and disability if they are injured somehowe. Fox knows these things, they just don't tell you about them.
7 :
Wherever you have markets, you will have poverty. Markets tend to "weed out" the stupid, immature, substance-addicted, and minorities. Minorities now have legal protection in most advanced democracies, so that they have a chance to prove that they can contribute effectively. Anywhere you look, marginalized people are poor.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Immigration to Belgium? (Antwerpen/Brussels)
Immigration to Belgium? (Antwerpen/Brussels)?
Well, I'm still quite young, and I'm considering immigration to Europe right after I finish university. First off, I want to clear things out. I do have a passport of a member state of the European Union ( I heard it changes alot of things.. ), and I'm getting my Canadian passport soon too. Anyways. I've been quite interested in immigrating to Belgium (Antwerp or Brussels, i don't know yet.), but I am not really sure if it's the right choice. Therefore, I'd like to ask some questions.. - I found out that the average annual income in Antwerp is 12000 euro. This is insane, average annual income here in Canada is around 45 000CAD. Is 12000 euro per year enough in Europe? - I know it's sort of impossible to name an exact amount, but how does an apartment cost monthly, approximately? (downtown antwerp/brussels, for rent) - I'm taking a Computer Sciences course in college. Is there alot of computer jobs in Antwerp/Brussels? (IT jobs) - Can I immigrate without knowing dutch, and learn it as I'm there? I speak English and French (both decent). I'm afraid that I'll need Dutch from the first day when I go there... which means I better start learning it soon. - Is it true that if I have a passport of a member state of the European Union, I can live and work in Belgium, for whatever amount of time I want? - Is it worth it going to Belgium? Thanks in advance.
Immigration - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You can get IT jobs in Brussels, hardly any IT job in Antwerpen. Expect to be paid roughly 36000 Euro per annum (can be higher for experienced IT professional). If you are citizen of state that was added to EU on 1st of May 2004, then NO. You still require work permit to work in Belgium & will require it until 1st of May 2011. Good luck.
Well, I'm still quite young, and I'm considering immigration to Europe right after I finish university. First off, I want to clear things out. I do have a passport of a member state of the European Union ( I heard it changes alot of things.. ), and I'm getting my Canadian passport soon too. Anyways. I've been quite interested in immigrating to Belgium (Antwerp or Brussels, i don't know yet.), but I am not really sure if it's the right choice. Therefore, I'd like to ask some questions.. - I found out that the average annual income in Antwerp is 12000 euro. This is insane, average annual income here in Canada is around 45 000CAD. Is 12000 euro per year enough in Europe? - I know it's sort of impossible to name an exact amount, but how does an apartment cost monthly, approximately? (downtown antwerp/brussels, for rent) - I'm taking a Computer Sciences course in college. Is there alot of computer jobs in Antwerp/Brussels? (IT jobs) - Can I immigrate without knowing dutch, and learn it as I'm there? I speak English and French (both decent). I'm afraid that I'll need Dutch from the first day when I go there... which means I better start learning it soon. - Is it true that if I have a passport of a member state of the European Union, I can live and work in Belgium, for whatever amount of time I want? - Is it worth it going to Belgium? Thanks in advance.
Immigration - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You can get IT jobs in Brussels, hardly any IT job in Antwerpen. Expect to be paid roughly 36000 Euro per annum (can be higher for experienced IT professional). If you are citizen of state that was added to EU on 1st of May 2004, then NO. You still require work permit to work in Belgium & will require it until 1st of May 2011. Good luck.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Where Can I Find The Planet Earth DVD Set
Where Can I Find The Planet Earth DVD Set?
Where can I find the Planet Earth DVD Set that would work in Belgium. It needs to have the number 2 region code in order to work. So if anyone can suggest where to find it online that would be great and I would be really thankful if you could provide a link! Happy Belated Holiday's!
Radio - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Here are 2 sites that have it. http://www.consoles-store.co.uk/video-games/B000SKLI2G/planet-earth--complete-bbc-series-hd-dvd.html http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/_W0QQ_nkwZPlanetQ20EarthQ20bluQ20rayQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZQQ_mdoZ Happy Holidays Don
2 :
please search on ebay Thanks
Where can I find the Planet Earth DVD Set that would work in Belgium. It needs to have the number 2 region code in order to work. So if anyone can suggest where to find it online that would be great and I would be really thankful if you could provide a link! Happy Belated Holiday's!
Radio - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Here are 2 sites that have it. http://www.consoles-store.co.uk/video-games/B000SKLI2G/planet-earth--complete-bbc-series-hd-dvd.html http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/_W0QQ_nkwZPlanetQ20EarthQ20bluQ20rayQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZQQ_mdoZ Happy Holidays Don
2 :
please search on ebay Thanks
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Advice on moving to belgium
Advice on moving to belgium?
Hi, I’m looking for advice on moving to Belgium. I have known my boyfriend for 10 years (we have email communications dating back to 2004 at least), though we only met about 1 year ago. We have been in a relationship (long distance) for the last 1 year, he lives in Brussels, and I live in Canada. We have done trips to and fro and have spent about 55 days together in the last year. I want to move to Belgium in July/August this year. I am planning to move on a Working holiday maker visa (which allows me to live and work in Belgium for 1 year, without the need for a work permit). After 6 months of living together, I was planning to apply for the cohabitation visa, and then get my work permit C (on the basis of cohabitation). My visa related questions are: - how difficult is it to get the cohabitation visa? - how long does it take to process? It says up to 2 months on the website, but I have heard nightmare stories about Belgian beaurocracy! My other questions are: - I only speak English. I’m trying to better my French, but its gonna take a while yet.. im still at beginner level. What are my chances of getting a professional job? (I don’t want to be a receptionist etc.. I have a great career here and im hoping to further it in Belgium). - Do belg companies hire foreigners? They wont need to do any paperwork for me.. but are they receptive to hiring foreigners? - What is it like living in Brussels? I don’t know anyone there (the closest people I know are in paris!).. so it is easy to make friends and mingle? Any help you can provide would be much much appreciated! I’m also at ellaenglish@y-a-h-o-o-.-c-a (sorry don’t want to type it out properly due to spam!) Hi Dr House, Thank you for your reply! Really appreciate the time. My boyfriend will be moving here in about 2 years, but in the meantime, we have to figure out a solution! Currently, I don’t really have a problem getting work permit (because of the working holiday maker visa, which buys me a year!), just a job! So I’m trying to get an understanding of what the job market is in Belgium. Thanks v much for your input on that front. I know my language (in)capability is a huge handicap. I have a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and am a business analyst, so I am hoping that this qualification will help. Sorry to trouble you further, but would you know whether there are good placement agencies that are able to help foreigners find jobs? My boyfriend is not knowledgeable about all of this, because he has lived in Belgium all his life and has never had to do any paperwork! Thank you yet again. Hi Bloemkool, Thanks for the answer. :-) My boyfriend is completley billingual so he never has a problem getting around, but I wanted to see what it would be like for an expat, in terms of meeting new people (not job related etc!), when you dont speak any language except English! Either way, it will be interesting :-) Thank you all for your answers! It has been incredibly helpful. I am understanding better what challenges I will face. I think my game plan will be to go there, take whatever job I get for some income, try volunteering/doing an internship, and keep looking for the dream job. This way, my language skills should also increase, I hope! PS, I have been to Verviers! I liked it very much, very different from Toronto :-)
Belgium - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Hi Ella Here is my advice: 1. Come to Belgium on a tourist visum and get married (civil marriage). Fourteen days later you will be a full blown Belgian, with carnet de marriage, carte d'identité, carte Sis, medicaid almost free and no problem whatsoever to get a job (from a legal standpoint only of course) 2. Brussels being the seat of the Executive of the EU , and the NATO, the ambiance is very international and you will meet scores of foreigners. The language prevailing in the EU and Nato watering holes is English. 3. A job: this is a totally different can of sardines! Belgium has a 12% rate of unemployment and most Belgians speak 3 to 4 languages. If you would like to apply for a receptionist job --which you generously do no want-- you should at least speak 4 languages.So I leave you to draw your own conclusions. 4. Belgian companies certainly hire foreigners provided they have the right qualifications and language knowledge. 5. How is Brussels: in one word: expensive. So think twice if you should have to live on one salary. PS Why dont you try the opposite? I'm sure your BF speaks English and French and would qualify for the points qualification system in Quebec for ex. There are hundreds of jobs to be had in locations between Montreal and Quebec ville. All the best.
2 :
There is something strange in your story: You like to know how it is Brussels! your BF lives there, and i hope you have already been once. Your friend can't he help you ? Does he inform you about everything in Brussels ? Do you have the canadian identity ? The belgian bureaucracy helps also to avoid illegal immigration
3 :
In all honesty Dr House have the best answer.! I lived in Belgium (7) years.But I was in Verviers wich is near Liege and very small city. so easier to make friends etc (altough) Belgium people don't have the time to socialise with foreigners if they don't know you. but when you make a friend in Belgium you have a friend for life!
4 :
If I would be in your place I would stay in Canada and let the partner come over to Canada. Why change beautiful Canada for Belgium? Sorry, If have to disappoint you with this answer but it's the truth. The work finding is almost impossible for a foreigner who don't speak Dutch. You have a small chance if you speak French in Brussels, but even over there the Belgium people don't find a job who speak the French and Dutch.
5 :
There is a weekly named The Bulletin edited for the English speaking expatriates living in Belgium. They also have a website. Your BF might get you one copy and scan/fax you the classified sections, they often have job offers for English-speaking professionals. Another option is www.pagesjaunes.be which is a professional directory. Use it to get contact addresses of international (as in English-speaking) businesses where to send resumes. If you have marketable skills, you might find it is easy to land a job. Check the jobs available on www.leforem.be; www.monster.be; www.efinancialcareers.be. Also check by googling business analyst with filters on language (English) and country (Belgium). Welcome to Belgium.
Hi, I’m looking for advice on moving to Belgium. I have known my boyfriend for 10 years (we have email communications dating back to 2004 at least), though we only met about 1 year ago. We have been in a relationship (long distance) for the last 1 year, he lives in Brussels, and I live in Canada. We have done trips to and fro and have spent about 55 days together in the last year. I want to move to Belgium in July/August this year. I am planning to move on a Working holiday maker visa (which allows me to live and work in Belgium for 1 year, without the need for a work permit). After 6 months of living together, I was planning to apply for the cohabitation visa, and then get my work permit C (on the basis of cohabitation). My visa related questions are: - how difficult is it to get the cohabitation visa? - how long does it take to process? It says up to 2 months on the website, but I have heard nightmare stories about Belgian beaurocracy! My other questions are: - I only speak English. I’m trying to better my French, but its gonna take a while yet.. im still at beginner level. What are my chances of getting a professional job? (I don’t want to be a receptionist etc.. I have a great career here and im hoping to further it in Belgium). - Do belg companies hire foreigners? They wont need to do any paperwork for me.. but are they receptive to hiring foreigners? - What is it like living in Brussels? I don’t know anyone there (the closest people I know are in paris!).. so it is easy to make friends and mingle? Any help you can provide would be much much appreciated! I’m also at ellaenglish@y-a-h-o-o-.-c-a (sorry don’t want to type it out properly due to spam!) Hi Dr House, Thank you for your reply! Really appreciate the time. My boyfriend will be moving here in about 2 years, but in the meantime, we have to figure out a solution! Currently, I don’t really have a problem getting work permit (because of the working holiday maker visa, which buys me a year!), just a job! So I’m trying to get an understanding of what the job market is in Belgium. Thanks v much for your input on that front. I know my language (in)capability is a huge handicap. I have a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and am a business analyst, so I am hoping that this qualification will help. Sorry to trouble you further, but would you know whether there are good placement agencies that are able to help foreigners find jobs? My boyfriend is not knowledgeable about all of this, because he has lived in Belgium all his life and has never had to do any paperwork! Thank you yet again. Hi Bloemkool, Thanks for the answer. :-) My boyfriend is completley billingual so he never has a problem getting around, but I wanted to see what it would be like for an expat, in terms of meeting new people (not job related etc!), when you dont speak any language except English! Either way, it will be interesting :-) Thank you all for your answers! It has been incredibly helpful. I am understanding better what challenges I will face. I think my game plan will be to go there, take whatever job I get for some income, try volunteering/doing an internship, and keep looking for the dream job. This way, my language skills should also increase, I hope! PS, I have been to Verviers! I liked it very much, very different from Toronto :-)
Belgium - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Hi Ella Here is my advice: 1. Come to Belgium on a tourist visum and get married (civil marriage). Fourteen days later you will be a full blown Belgian, with carnet de marriage, carte d'identité, carte Sis, medicaid almost free and no problem whatsoever to get a job (from a legal standpoint only of course) 2. Brussels being the seat of the Executive of the EU , and the NATO, the ambiance is very international and you will meet scores of foreigners. The language prevailing in the EU and Nato watering holes is English. 3. A job: this is a totally different can of sardines! Belgium has a 12% rate of unemployment and most Belgians speak 3 to 4 languages. If you would like to apply for a receptionist job --which you generously do no want-- you should at least speak 4 languages.So I leave you to draw your own conclusions. 4. Belgian companies certainly hire foreigners provided they have the right qualifications and language knowledge. 5. How is Brussels: in one word: expensive. So think twice if you should have to live on one salary. PS Why dont you try the opposite? I'm sure your BF speaks English and French and would qualify for the points qualification system in Quebec for ex. There are hundreds of jobs to be had in locations between Montreal and Quebec ville. All the best.
2 :
There is something strange in your story: You like to know how it is Brussels! your BF lives there, and i hope you have already been once. Your friend can't he help you ? Does he inform you about everything in Brussels ? Do you have the canadian identity ? The belgian bureaucracy helps also to avoid illegal immigration
3 :
In all honesty Dr House have the best answer.! I lived in Belgium (7) years.But I was in Verviers wich is near Liege and very small city. so easier to make friends etc (altough) Belgium people don't have the time to socialise with foreigners if they don't know you. but when you make a friend in Belgium you have a friend for life!
4 :
If I would be in your place I would stay in Canada and let the partner come over to Canada. Why change beautiful Canada for Belgium? Sorry, If have to disappoint you with this answer but it's the truth. The work finding is almost impossible for a foreigner who don't speak Dutch. You have a small chance if you speak French in Brussels, but even over there the Belgium people don't find a job who speak the French and Dutch.
5 :
There is a weekly named The Bulletin edited for the English speaking expatriates living in Belgium. They also have a website. Your BF might get you one copy and scan/fax you the classified sections, they often have job offers for English-speaking professionals. Another option is www.pagesjaunes.be which is a professional directory. Use it to get contact addresses of international (as in English-speaking) businesses where to send resumes. If you have marketable skills, you might find it is easy to land a job. Check the jobs available on www.leforem.be; www.monster.be; www.efinancialcareers.be. Also check by googling business analyst with filters on language (English) and country (Belgium). Welcome to Belgium.
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