Everybody has a right to decent and fair working conditions. This is the core idea behind our group.
Professionals, activists, volunteers, old and new comers from different Brussels-based NGO, we
discuss labour rights and how to improve working conditions. From practical issues such as language
to more general considerations about labour in the XXI Century, we want to raise awareness in a field
of work that is barely organised. We don’t think it’s ambitious. We believe it’s necessary.
We come from a variety of organisations, some small some bigger, with different visions and
missions, some with staff representatives and some so small they can hardly distinguish hierarchy.
Most of us have chosen to work in these organisations since we believe they can bring a positive
change to the world.
Yet we have all heard the stories about working hours not being respected, unpaid all-nighters,
sick/off time not taken… Many of us have also had our fair share of unpaid internships, followed by
insecure contracts or remuneration not nearly high enough to cover the cost of life in Brussels.
Our group wants to ask why. Why is it that so often those who advocate so hard to bring a positive
change in the world rarely look into the working conditions they provide for their own staff? Why do
these situations occur? We also want to ask how. How can NGO workers tolerate certain situations,
and most of all, how can we, together, rethink our working conditions to walk the talk following a
sustainable approach?
Together with all those interested, our aim is to dig deeper into the rights and duties of NGO staff,
their relationship with their employers or contractors – starting with the definition of the different
levels of subordination, including their boards of directors – and more generally, draw clearer lines
around the different status.
Whether you are keen on knowing more about the labour laws that govern our sector or merely
interested in the general topic, you are very welcome to join us to share your experience,
knowledge, assess the situation, and why not, imagine how we can activate the change to
transform our working environments.