The 2017-2018 sectoral agreement for JC 306 (insurance companies) has been concluded

On 05 February 2018, the social partners of the joint committee for the insurance companies concluded their sectoral agreement for 2017-2018. This agreement observes the maximum envelope for negotiation of 1.1% in 2017 and 2018 in accordance with the CBA No. 119.

Below we give you a brief overview of the most important subjects mentioned in this sector agreement. A detailed analysis has been included in our sectoral documentation.

Applying the wage margin

The workers present at the time of payment and/or who receive a monthly wage at the time of payment, shall receive no later than 31 May 2018, a net non-recurring benefit of EUR 400.

The employer can freely choose the form in which the net amount of EUR 400 is paid. This must be done before 31 May 2018.

Fixed employment

Employers who make redundant workers for technical reasons of work organisation during the period from 01.01.2018 to 31.12.2019 must, prior to such dismissal, seek appropriate solutions with the social partners in order to safeguard the employment of the workers concerned as far as possible or to increase their possibilities of reorientation.

If no agreement can be reached, in addition to severance payments, the penalty regime on fixed employment shall apply.

Training efforts

The training efforts included in the previous sector agreement shall be continued.

In addition, a growth path is also envisaged by introducing a budget credit line for training within the company.

Educational credit

An educational credit (expressed in number of days/year) for 2018 is collectively determined at company level as follows:

(staff with an employment contract expressed in full-time equivalents at 30.06 of the previous year) x 4

FOPAS financing

For 2017 and 2018, the contribution to FOPAS shall be 0.15 %.

Budget credit line for training within the company

The company shall receive a budget line expressed in EUR and calculated by FOPAS according to the formula below:

(Average FOPAS training cost x the number of training courses organised by/via FOPAS for the companies’ workers) / 2

This credit shall be paid by FOPAS at the company’s request and on the basis of supporting documents.

Time credit

The entitlement to time credit for care reasons is extended to 51 months.

Outplacement

The sectoral outplacement laid down in the CBA of 18.01.2016 is extended for 2 years. The FOPAS Management Committee shall evaluate, inter alia, the financial aspects by the end of 2019.

Great flexibility

At company level, the provisions on great flexibility may be applied subject to the conditions laid down in CBA No. 42 and the Act of 17 March 1987 on the introduction of new work schedules in the companies.

Company collective agreements concluded in this context shall be notified to the chairman of the JC before they are filed with the registrar.

In addition, the agreement is submitted to the JC for filing at the registrar if there is no union delegation in the company. In that case, the JC will examine the content of the draft agreement within 2 months upon receipt of the draft by the chairman of the JC.

Trade union training fund

For the years 2017-2018, there will be a contribution of EUR 950,000 for the Trade Union Training Fund.

Taking into account the specific economic situation of the sector, this contribution is distributed as follows:

• EUR 500,000 paid by Assuralia;
• EUR 450,000 paid by FOPAS.

Duration of the agreement

From 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2018, with the exception of the following provisions:

• fixed employment and outplacement (form 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019);
• time credit and flexibility (indefinite period).

This sector agreement shall only be effective after publication on the website of the FPS Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue. We will keep you informed.

Source: Collective bargaining agreement on the sectoral agreement 2017-2018 (JC 306)