Some arrived after World War II when there was a labor shortage in Belgium. Still others went as merchants, since Belgium is an important trading partner of North Africa. In the 1980's, however, the European labor market closed to workers. Those Kabyle who are recognized as refugees in Belgium have the same rights as nationals, except the right to vote. They can request aid from the community, but recently Belgium has refused to accept newly arriving refugees.
African refugees stand at the bottom of the economic scale and are subject to racial prejudice.
The Kabyle, however, have influenced Belgian culture by introducing attractive ear and body piercing. Preserving the family is important to the Kabyle. Even when a family member is forced to migrate to other countries, family ties remain strong. Family bonds are also strengthened by their marriage customs and inheritance rights. Often, an entire family lives in one small room, sharing everything.