Sector agreement 2023-2024 for JC 209 (non-manual workers metal industry)

The social partners of JC 209 (non-manual workers metal manufacturing industry) concluded a sector agreement on 29/9/2023 for 2023-2024.

The RD of 13/5/2023 has already set the wage standard at 0% for 2023-2024.

The agreement’s key points are outlined below. A detailed analysis will be included in our sector information.

Purchasing power bonus

• 200 EUR if the ROA* in 2022 is 3% or more (= minimum threshold)
• 350 EUR if, in addition, the operating profit (code 9901) in 2022 is 15% higher than the average operating profit (code 9901) for the period 2018-2021
• 500 EUR if, in addition, the operating profit (code 9901) in 2022 is 25% higher than the average operating profit (code 9901) for the period 2018-2021
• 750 EUR if, in addition, the operating profit (code 9901) in 2022 is 50% higher than the average operating profit (code 9901) for the period 2018-2021

* Return on assets = operating result (code 9901) / balance sheet total (code 10/49 or 20/58)

Ceiling: the total cost of all workers' purchasing power bonuses cannot exceed 33% of the company's operating profit in 2022 (prorating of the bonus if necessary).

The purchasing power bonus is paid no later than 31/12/2023 to non-manual workers who are employed at the time of payment and who have at least 1 month of seniority, pro rata to the days worked and the days treated as such between 1/10/2022 and 30/9/2023.

Opting out: possibility of negotiating a company-specific purchasing power bonus at the company level until 31/10/2023

Important note! In principle, this purchasing power bonus should only be granted to non-manual workers who are or can be assigned to a pay scale.

Minimum wage

From 1/1/2025, the sector guaranteed minimum monthly wage will be increased by 85 EUR.

Mobility

From 1/1/2024, the employer’s contribution to transport costs will change as follows:

• Bicycle: adjustment of the basic amount to 0.27 EUR/km (max. 10.80 EUR/day).
• Private transport: adjustment of the basic amount per km, minimum and maximum amount per day by 12.5%. Increase of the wage ceiling to 6,500 EUR.
• Public transport: adjustment of the amounts by 12.5% (advance on future increases in the intervention provided for in Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) No. 19/9).

Student wages

Confirmation of the possibility of applying degressive wages for young people employed under student employment contracts based on the degressive percentages below:

•  From 18 years: 100 %
•  17.5 years: 95%
•  17 years: 90%
•  16.5 years: 85%
•  ≤ 16 years: 80 %

Temporary unemployment

From 1/10/2023, the basic amount and the supplement per tranche of 50 EUR of the income guarantee for temporary unemployment for economic reasons (employer's supplement) will be indexed.

RCC/SWT (system of unemployment with company supplement)

Extension of all systems of unemployment with company supplement (RCC/SWT) until 30/06/2025.

Time credit - end-of-career jobs

• Extension of the 1/2 and 1/5 end-of-career jobs from the age of 55 with benefits for long careers and arduous occupations until 30/6/2025;

• Phasing out of the supplementary allowance for 1/2 end-of-career jobs starting at the age of 58;
• Relaxation of the 5% threshold: abolition of the current procedure (approval of the Joint Committee and company CBA) when deciding to increase the threshold;
• Extension of the Flemish Region incentive bonuses.

Training

Introduction of a growth pathway individual training entitlement up to 5 days in 2026:

• Increase of the transferable individual training entitlement to 32 hours as of 2024;
• 36 hours from 2025;
• and 40 hours from 2026.

Social fund

From 1/1/2024, the Social fund for non-manual workers from the metal industry (SFBM) will levy an additional employer contribution of 0.03% on the contribution base provided for in the bye-laws to finance trade union guarantees.

From 1/1/2025, the SFBM will levy an extra additional employer contribution of 0.02% on the contribution base provided for in the bye-laws to finance trade union guarantees.

Miscellaneous

• Conversion of the end-of-year bonus: possibility to convert part of the end-of-year bonus into additional leave or a bicycle lease subject to a company CBA and individual agreement with the worker, if the end-of-year bonus amounts to at least a full month's wage. This change is effective for end-of-year bonuses for 2023.
• Eco vouchers: possibility of converting eco vouchers to an alternative option until 31/10/2023 at the latest.
• Career leave: from 1/1/2024, 3rd day from the age of 60.
• 8 May: sectoral focus on the fight against racism and discrimination.
• Adjustment of leave of absence: relaxation for newly formed families and relaxation for bereavement leave.
• Indefinite extension of the CBA ‘job security clause’ and harmonization of the sanction mechanism.
• Extension of the CBA at risk groups until 31/12/2024.
• The sectoral social partners agree to conclude a supplementary collective bargaining agreement on the right to disconnect.
• Joint activities for the trade union delegation for executives may resume.
• There will be a joint statement of principles "Social dialogue of and for the future."

More information

A more detailed analysis will be available in our sector information soon.

Source: CBA of 29.09.2023 containing the national agreement 2023-2024