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The summer holidays are approaching and student employment is a topical subject again. We take this opportunity to repeat the rules for the employment of students.
In this first Infoflash dealing with this subject, we will go further into the specific formalities which have to be fulfilled when hiring a student.
Each student has a quota of 50 work days per calendar year. During these 50 days, no ordinary social security contributions are payable on the wage for work performed, only a solidarity levy is deducted. On 1 January of each year, the student receives a new full quota of 50 work days.
This quota is kept up to date through a counter that is fed on the basis of the specific DIMONA declarations for 'students' that any employer who hires a student must submit (see below) and on the basis of the quarterly declarations of employment (DmfA) submitted to the National Social Security Office (NSSO). In the DIMONA declarations, the number of work days per quarter must be stated as mentioned in the student employment contract. Gradually, as the DIMONA declarations are submitted, the number of days worked will be deducted from the 50-day quota.
This 50-day quota will be put into a counter which the student can consult via the online application "student@work50days" on the website https://www.mysocialsecurity.be/student.
Practically, the student can log in using his electronic identity card or a civil token.Students can connect to this application to see how many days are left in their 50-day quota, check the periods of employment scheduled with one or more employers and keep track of the work day count (days provided in the student employment contract(s), days already worked, days still to be worked).
The employer may also be informed of how many days remain in the 50-day quota as the student can use this application to retrieve a certificate for a potential employer stating how many days remain in the 50-day quota on a specific date. The certificate also contains a code (3 months valid) which enables the employer to log into the student's counter and see how many days are left in it at the time of consultation.
We would strongly recommend that all employers ask the student to provide this certificate before entering into a contract and that, in order to be fully aware of the state of affairs upon hiring.
When employing a student, a student employment contract must be drawn up. This contract shall be laid down in writing for each student individually. This has to be done at the latest when the student commences employment.
The employment contract for students is a fixed-term contract. The contract can be concluded for a maximum duration of 12 months.
The employment contract for students must contain certain obligatory statements and must be drawn up in duplicate (1 copy for the student, 1 copy for the employer) provided that a DIMONA declaration has been made prior to the employment (see below).
Caution! Since 1 January 2014, the first 3 working days are automatically considered to be a probationary period.
Remark - The student employment contract is a social document. Therefore, it must be retained for 5 years at the place where the student works as from the day following the termination of the performance of the contract.
A copy of the employment regulations that apply within the company must be presented to the student, just like to any other regular worker. On the presentation of the employment regulations, the employer must have the student sign an acknowledgement of receipt.
After the student contract has been concluded and no later than at the commencement of the student's employment, the employer must submit an immediate declaration of employment (DIMONA). In addition to the normal information (in service date, information on the registration number of the employer with the NSSO, the worker's identification number with the social security (NISS), the social identity card number (SIS) and the number of the joint committee under which the worker comes), the DIMONA declaration must include the following data:
NB! However, the employer is exempt from submitting a DIMONA for certain categories of workers (e.g. students working as an administrator or animator of socio-cultural or sport activities during maximum 25 days per year). In that case the employer must submit a specific communication to the directorate of the Social Legislation Inspectorate of the FPS Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue. Within 7 days following the beginning of the performance of the contract, the employer shall transmit the following documents to that service:
All working students and their employers are subject to the legislation on work accidents, even students performing activities that do not have to be declared with the NSSO.
An employer who employs students will have to conclude an insurance against 'accidents at work' for the duration of the employment contract.
Some students must undergo a medical assessment with the prevention advisor-company doctor before they are employed. It regards students who:
Do you wish to obtain more information about employing students? Then order our free publication on this subject!
Author: Catherine Legardien
29/05/2018
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