A draft sector agreement for JC 200

The sectoral partners of JC 200 (Auxiliary joint committee for non-manual workers) have concluded a protocol agreement for the period 2023-2024. This agreement must fully comply with the Royal Decree of 13 May 2023 that sets the wage standard for the period 2023 and 2024 (0%).

The agreement will be in force from 1 January 2023 until 31 December 2024, unless otherwise specified. Below, you will find a brief overview of the main subjects of the sector agreement. A detailed analysis will be included in our sector information.

Purchasing power bonus

A purchasing power bonus will be awarded to the companies that made (exceptionally) high profits in 2022.

• High profits: the ratio of the operating profits (code 9901) to the balance sheet total in 2022 is at least 1.25x the average for the same ratio over the years 2019 to 2021.
• Exceptionally high profits: the ratio of the operating profits to the balance sheet total in 2022 is at least 2x the average for that same ratio over the years 2019 to 2022.
• The operating profits in 2022 (code 9901) represent at least 5% of the balance sheet total in 2022.

If this ratio is at least 1.25, a purchasing power bonus of € 125 will be awarded.

If this ratio is at least 1.5, a purchasing power bonus of € 250 will be awarded.

If this ratio is at least 2, a purchasing power bonus of € 375 will be awarded.

The criteria are assessed at the legal entity level.

The bonus will be paid to non-manual workers employed on 30.11.2023 and who have at least one month’s seniority, with a reference period from 01.12.2022 up to and including 30.11.2023. A pro rata calculation is provided for part-time workers and workers who have not worked the full reference period.

The purchasing power bonus will be awarded no later than 31 December 2023.

Bicycle allowance

Increase in the bicycle allowance to € 0.27/km from 01.07.2024.

Training

Status quo for smaller companies up to and including 31/12/2028.

For companies employing 20 or more workers: growth path for individual right to training:

• 2023: 2 days of individual training per year for a full-time non-manual worker
• 2024: 3 days
• 2026: 4 days
• 2028: 5 days

RCC/SWT (system of unemployment with company supplement)

Extension of various systems of unemployment with company supplement (RCC/SWT) up to and including 30.06.2025. Exemption from the adjusted availability requirement.

Time credit

Extension of the time credit scheme up to and including 31.12.2025, except the 1/5th end-of-career job and half-time end-of-career job from the age of 55, which are extended until 30.06.2025.

Miscellaneous

• The specific youth pay scale is abolished (the student pay scale is retained).
• Adjustment of the end-of-year bonus.
  • Prophylactic leave treated as time actually worked
  • Entitlement to the end-of-year bonus after termination of the employment contract by mutual agreement
• Reiteration of teleworking recommendations.
• Interpretative note on training, including the definition of informal training.
• The employers' contribution to the Social Fund remains at 0.23% of gross wages for the period from 1 January 2024 up to and including 31 December 2025.

More information

A more detailed analysis is available in our sector information.

Source: draft sector agreement 2023-2024 for JC 200.