About us
The Patronato ACLI Belgium has been active since 1947 to inform, support, and defend Italians who came to work in Belgium in the mines, quarries, and the steel industry.
The history of Patronato ACLI Belgium
After the Second World War, Belgium became a major destination for Italian emigration. The “man for coal” agreement (23 June 1946) enabled many Italians to obtain employment, housing, and better living conditions, meeting Belgium’s labor needs and supporting Italy’s resources for post-war reconstruction.
Faced with workers’ difficulties, the Patronato ACLI Belgium fought for:
the recognition of silicosis as an occupational disease,
the granting of family allowances and disability pensions.
The Marcinelle tragedy (8 August 1956), in which 136 Italians lost their lives, deeply marked the history of emigration. After this event, safety measures (gas masks) were introduced, but working conditions remained harsh.
The Patronato played a fundamental role in defending migrant workers before the European Court of Justice, contributing to the correct application of European principles in the field of social security.
Patronato ACLI Belgium today
The Patronato ACLI Belgium offers a public utility service to the community: its main objective is provide everyday support to Italian expats about retirement, job, health, European citizenship, individual’s rights and duties.
Competence, availability, and certainty in responses are the key elements of the public service that Patronato ACLI Belgium offers to the community. Its main objective is to support citizens on a daily basis in matters related to pensions, employment, health, European citizenship, and individual rights and duties.
Recent economic difficulties have led many Italians to settle in Belgium, where Patronato ACLI Belgium continues to represent and support their migration experiences.
The choice has been to continue promoting social rights in the areas of social security and employment, family and inheritance law, as well as citizenship. The aim of Patronato ACLI Belgium is to protect individuals and foster awareness of their own rights and duties, always encouraging participation in a united and supportive social community.
Currently, Patronato ACLI Belgium is present in Belgium with its coordination office in Brussels and three other offices in Charleroi, Seraing, and Genk. In addition, it provides weekly consultation services in the centers of: Auvelais, Beringen, Forchies-La-Marche, Herve, Jemappes, La Louvière, Liège, Maasmechelen, Tubize, Verviers, Waterschei, and Zolder.
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