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On 11 October 2014, the members of the new federal government have taken the oath at the Royal Palace of Brussels. Below you will find an overview of the main lines that they have included in the federal coalition government.
The government wishes to compensate the wage handicap with the neighbouring countries, which is detected since 1996. This is amongst other things put into practise by means of a skip in cost-of-living increases in 2015 and a further wage moderation in 2015-2016. The Act of 26 July 1996 for the promotion of employment and for the preventative safeguarding of competitiveness will be amended in this context.
In addition, the government will extend the reduction of the employers' contributions. Before the end of the legislature, it will reduce the basic rate of the employers' contributions in order to reach a basic rate of 25 %. For example, the structural exemption of the advance payment of withholding tax of 1% will be converted into an additional reduction of the basic rate of the employers' contributions. To promote the creation of jobs in SME's, the government will enhance and simplify the reduction of the contribution for the first three recruits hired.
The simplification and modernization of the legislation will be pursued after hearing the opinion of the social partners. It regards amongst other things a more flexible work organisation and working time (such as annualising the working time), working part-time, overtime hours and flextime.
The revision of the wage scales is finalized in conjunction with the reduction of the number of joint committees.
After hearing the opinion of the social partners, the government will make proposals to:
The benefit for the ungrounded time credit is abolished. The time credit specific to the end of working life between 50 and 54 years will steadily end and the limit of 55 years for first applications will be increased to 60 years as from 1 January 2015.
The conditions to enjoy the 'SWT' (system of unemployment with the granting of employer-paid compensation - the former bridging pension scheme) have been tightened:
The period of guaranteed wages in the event of incapacity for work is raised to 2 months.
The catering sector will enjoy a discount on the cost of labour. In addition hereto, also casual work will be reformed. The limit of 100 days will be increased to 200 days. Workers who work at least 4/5 for an employer, will have the possibility to supplement their income on advantageous terms.
The government will also allow for an administrative simplification for the sector, amongst other things for social documents such as DIMONA.
Following points have also been included in the coalition agreement:
Source: Coalition Agreement - 10 October 2014
Author: Peggy Criel
20/08/2015
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