Proposal for mandatory Dutch language skills in Flemish businesses
Official title: Voorstel van decreet van Klaas Slootmans, Kristof Slagmulder, Michiel Awouters, Tom Lamont, Ilse Malfroot en Chris Janssens tot wijziging van het decreet van 19 juli 1973 tot regeling van het gebruik van de talen voor de sociale betrekkingen tussen de werkgevers en de werknemers, alsmede van de door de wet en de verordeningen voorgeschreven akten en bescheiden van de ondernemingen, wat de taalkennisvereisten voor werkgevers en werknemers van ondernemingen betreft
Status: Parliament is still discussing this proposal, for example in a committee or while waiting for advice. (parliament: ‘request for consideration in plenary rejected’)
In plain language
- This proposal requires employers and employees in Flanders to have a sufficient level of Dutch when they deal with customers or other third parties. This language proficiency must be proven with a Dutch-language diploma or an official certificate.
- The rule applies to businesses and staff in the Dutch-speaking region who interact with residents of Flanders or Brussels. Employers will need to keep these records ready for possible inspection checks.
- As a customer in Flanders, you can expect staff in shops or hospitality venues to understand and speak Dutch. If you work in a Flemish business with customer contact, you will need to officially prove your Dutch language skills.
Automatically summarised (gemini-3.8-flash). AI can make mistakes: if in doubt, read the official text.
How parliament voted
Parliament has not voted on this proposal yet.