In June the employees of the JC 144 (agriculture) receive their increased flat-rate bonus

Author: Leen Lafourt
Read time: 4min
Publication date: 23/04/2019 - 11:26
Latest update: 23/04/2019 - 11:34

Since 2016, your employees have received a flat-rate annual bonus. This bonus is different for permanent employees (EUR 58.32) and occasional employees (EUR 5.31).

In this infoflash, we rehearse all the information regarding these bonuses. We also answer the question whether you can convert this bonus into another benefit.

Flat-rate bonus permanent employees

Full-time employees who have worked a full reference period receive a flat-rate bonus each year on 1 July.

The reference period runs from 1 July of the previous calendar year to 30 June of the current calendar year.

Pro rata

The gross bonus is prorated for:

  • part-time employees in proportion to their working time;
  • employees not having worked a full reference year.

Indexation

The amount of the bonus is indexed in the same way as the wages within this JC. Since 01.01.2019, the bonus amounts to EUR 58.32.

Can you still convert this bonus into another benefit?

Yes, on company level this flat-rate bonus can still be converted into an equivalent benefit. Therefore you must conclude a collective labour agreement before 01 May 2019. You will then also have to provide the chairman of the JC with a copy of this company collective labour agreement.

The CLA leaves you a free choice as to the benefit, as long as it is an equivalent benefit. Unless you convert the benefit to meal vouchers. In that case, the CLA prescribes that the employer's share in the meal vouchers must be increased by EUR 0.5/day. However, please note that conversion to meal vouchers (or an increase in the employer's share in these meal vouchers) will in most cases no longer be possible. The same applies when eco vouchers are granted.

Please mind that you observe the specific provisions for the chosen benefit. One of the conditions that must be fulfilled in order to grant eco vouchers/meal vouchers that are exempted from social security contributions is that they must not be granted as a substitute or as a conversion of wage, bonuses, benefits in kind or any other benefit subject to social security contributions or not. If the bonus has already been paid in the previous years, your employees have acquired the right to the bonus and its payment. Consequently, any subsequent conversion of the bonus is illegal and causes the meal vouchers/eco vouchers to be subject to the social security contributions.

On the other hand you can still choose to convert the bonus in one of the following benefits:

  • increase in monthly wage,
  • contribution to the supplementary pension, hospitalization insurance,...

The CLA says that in such a case you must ensure that the benefit is an equivalent benefit.

For guidance and advice, contact Legal Partners, any time (legalpartners@partena.be or call 02/549.30.20).

Flate- rate bonus occasional employees

Occasional staff who have indicated at least 25 days on the occasional work form during the reference period receive an annual flat-rate bonus since 2016.

The reference period runs from 1 January to 31 December.

Payment

The bonus is paid together with the wages for the month in which the quorum of 25 days is reached.

Indexation

The amount of the bonus is indexed in the same way as the wages within this JC. Since 01.01.2019, the bonus amounts to EUR 5.31.

Loyalty premium

For the sake of completeness, we also inform you that occasional staff who have indicated at least 15 days on the occasional work form are entitled to a taxable loyalty premium of EUR 0.5/day worked.

This loyalty premium is paid by the Agricultural Guarantee and Social Fund.

More info

A detailed analysis can be found in the sector information available on our website. Here you can also find information regarding the end-of-year bonus.

Sources: Collective Labour Agreement of 19 December 2018: determination of the wage and working conditions for seasonal and occasional work (reg. no. 150.343); Collective Labour Agreement of 19 December 2018: determination of wage and working conditions (reg. no. 150.344).

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