The sector agreement 2019-2020 for the joint committee 214 (textile industry - non-manual workers) has been concluded

JC 214 (textile industry - employees) has concluded a sector agreement for the period 2019-2020. This agreement of 02 July 2019 respects the maximum negotiating envelope of 1.1% in 2019-2020 in accordance with the RD of 19 April 2019 implementing article 7 § 1 of the Act of 26 July 1996 on the promotion of employment and the preventive safeguarding of competitiveness.

Below, you will find a brief overview of the main subjects of this sector agreement. A detailed analysis will be included in our sector information.

Applying the wage margin

As from 1 September 2019, the wage scales and actual wages will be increased by EUR 26 per month.

Additional pension plan within the sector

The signatory parties agree to set up an additional pension plan within the sector for the non-manual workers of the textile sector with effect from 1 January 2021. Students and apprentices are excluded from the scope.

The additional pension within the sector contains solidarity contributions corresponding to 4.4% of the payments for pension commitments.

This additional pension within the sector is financed by means of an employer's contribution of 1.20 percentage points of the pensionable remuneration to be paid to the Welfare Fund for non-manual workers (except for companies that make use of the instruments outside the scope and opting-out).

The 1 percentage point contribution to the additional pension within the sector, calculated on the pensionable remuneration of 2020, will be paid in the course of 2021 into the individual pension account as a starting premium. The total cost of this starting premium will be paid by the reserves of the Welfare Fund for non-manual workers.

End-of-career jobs

Extension of all existing employment promotion systems for end-of-career jobs in accordance with the CBAs of the NLC.

System of unemployment with company supplement (RCC/SWT)

Extension of these different systems of unemployment with company supplement during the period from 1 January 2019 to 30 June 2021, with the exception of the system for disabled workers or workers with serious physical problems, which is extended for the period from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020.

Welfare Fund

As from 1 January 2020, the employer's contribution to the capped wages for the system of unemployment with company supplement shall be reduced by 0.25 percentage points.

As from 1 January 2021, a 1.20 percentage points employer's contribution will be collected on the uncapped wages subject to the ordinary social security contributions, less the single holiday pay and the amounts mentioned in the DmfA under remuneration code 2.

Loyalty to the sector

The corporate seniority required to be entitled to the first paid day of absence will be reduced from 20 years to 18 years as from 2019.

Social peace

The signatory parties undertake to respect social peace during the period from 1 January 2019 to 30 June 2021.

Duration of the agreement

This agreement shall enter into force on 1 January 2019 and shall cover the period up to 31 December 2020. The measures relating to the RCC/SWT and social peace will cover the period from 1 January 2019 to 30 June 2021. The measures relating to purchasing power and the welfare fund are concluded for an indefinite period of time.

The sector agreement will only become final upon publication on the website of the FPS Employment Labour and Social Dialogue. We will keep you informed.

Source: 2019-2020 Sector agreement (JC 214.00) – 02.07.2019