A job rooted in Belgium’s cultural heritage

In 2022, Link2Europe is celebrating its 15th anniversary in international recruitment and that calls for a celebration. To honor the many talents we’ve had the pleasure to link to a Belgian placement, we are taking a look at the highest requested profiles.

Belgian corporations, family-run businesses and SMEs know they have a partner in Link2Europe when it comes to international recruitment. We provide foreign talent for those hard-to-fill vacancies. Ranging from placements starting at 3-4 months to full-time job offers, Link2Europe always finds the perfect match!

The industrial seamstress is next in line in our 15 most wanted profiles. Find out what it takes to work meticulously with needle and thread or industrial sewing machines.

A region’s cultural heritage

Flanders, the Flemish-speaking part of Belgium is known for its rich textile history. Bobbing lace plays a big part in that since the roots of Flemish lace go back as far as the 15th century. Lace is not merely a craft but a part of the region’s cultural heritage. Flanders is therefore still home to one of Europe’s largest textile clusters with over hundreds of companies specializing in textiles and fashion. Paired with Belgium’s love for innovation, smart and technical textiles, e-textiles and sustainable fibers are popping up all over the country. To handle the high demand for quality fabrics, abled industrial seamstresses are needed to turn those fabrics into something altogether special.

Unfortunately, proficiency in these skills in the West is diminishing. For a few decades this industries have experienced an exudus to locations where not only the costs are lower but also where this skills are still available like Bangladesh or China.
To sew a garment or to sew a mattress cover are two completely different things. When sewing garments you mostly work with light fabrics, whilst seated. Sewing mattress covers requires you to work with heavy fabrics, often standing, aided by heavy duty industrial machines. For someone who is used to sewing light fabrics, it can be difficult to operate large, heavy duty sewing machines. So making the switch isn’t always easy. It will require some time to pick up the speed and the necessary skill to function in an industrial textile factory.

Silhouette: industrial seamstress

The textile industry finds itself within PC 120 with a weekly working time of 37h20 on an annual average. If the working time would exceed 38 hours a week additional rest days and holidays are granted to the workers.

A day in the life of an industrial seamstress

Your daily tasks will start with a specific joborder. It could be that you have to sew the same model all day long, so your attention to detail, even during monotonous work, is crucial. Since your work could include operating heavy machinery, with or without a partner, being in accordance with safety regulations is very important. Your day could consist of one project with many different steps, or small repetitive jobs such as labeling ready products where each item only touches your hand for a few short seconds. You also need to be able to handle basic maintenance to your sewing machine by yourself and to keep your workspace tidy. Industrial sewing in general is a clean job but beware of fabric particles flying around in the air which may cause irritation.

Your income and the most common benefits

• The base gross hourly rate starts at €12.75.
• Meal vouchers.
• Shift bonus when you work in shifts.
• Holiday money.
• End of year bonus.
• 20 days per year of paid leave if you work 38 hours a week. If you work 40 hours a week, you receive extra days of paid leave.

Successful industrial seamstresses possess these skills:

• A relevant first experience in industrial sewing.
• Good concentration skills and an eye for detail.
• You don’t mind sitting or standing for many hours.
• You have good physical health.
• Communicative English would be great but it is not a must.

Ready, set….work!

Since the beginning of its activities, Link2Europe has had some loyal clients in the textile industry. Therefore we are regularly looking for industrial seamstresses or other textile operators to join the teams of local corporations, family-run businesses and SMEs. Ready to make the move to Belgium and start your new career? Send us your CV today or check out the open vacancies.