Travel expenses: changes ahead!

Since 2009, CBA No. 19octies has established the fixed amounts of the employer's contribution to the travel expenses. These amounts have never been changed.

On 23 April 2019, the social partners adopted CBA 19/9.

New fixed amounts

In 2009, the table of fixed amounts approved by the social partners provided for a contribution equal to 70% of the rail card price. However, these amounts have never been adjusted, unlike the SNCB/NMBS's rates. As a result, the employers' contribution to the costs of rail transport has decreased proportionately.

Ten years later, the social partners have revised the fixed amounts and increased them again to 70% of the rail card price in order to promote public transport,

These new fixed amounts are valid as from 1 July 2019.

A supplementary obligation

This agreement of the National Labour Council is supplementary, this means it establishes a minimum requirement. The majority of the sectors has concluded CBAs laying down more far-reaching requirements for the employers: higher amounts, contribution for the use of a private vehicle, bicycle allowance...

If your sector has not yet adopted a CBA for travel expenses or only provides for a contribution equal to the amounts stipulated in the CBA No. 19octies, you must increase the contribution that you grant to your employees up to the amounts of CBA No. 19/9.

End of the distance requirement

CBA 19/9 also abolishes the distance requirement for common public transport other than rail. Currently, employees using trams, buses, underground or even water buses are entitled to a contribution from their employer if the distance between the place of departure and the place of arrival is at least 5 km.

This distance requirement will be abolished with effect from 1 July 2020.

And in my sector?

Following the sectoral negotiations, many sectors are likely to address the minimum contribution within their joint committee. It is therefore to be expected that there will be some changes in this matter. 

The employer's contribution to the travel expenses that apply to your sector can be found in the sectoral information of your joint committee.

Source: CBA No.19octies of 23 April 2019 with regard to the employer’s financial contribution to the price of the common public transport of employees (reg. No. 151.392 - RD 28.04.2019 - Belgian Official Gazette 08.05.2019).