Sector agreement for JC 207 and JC 116 (chemical industry)

The social partners of JC 207 and JC 116 (chemical industry) concluded a sector agreement on 29 June 2023 for the period 2023-2024. As a reminder, the RD of 13 May 2023 sets the wage standard at 0% for the period 2023 and 2024.

The main thrust of this agreement can be found below. A more detailed analysis will soon be published in our sector information.

Purchasing power bonus

For workers employed in companies not covered by an agreement that made (exceptionally) high profits in 2022, the agreement provides for a purchasing power bonus of EUR 350 and EUR 351 respectively, to be granted no later than 30 September 2023.

Companies covered by an agreement can negotiate a purchasing power bonus at company level.

Minimum wages

From 1 July 2023: increase in minimum wages by EUR 0.10 gross/hour or EUR 17.33 gross/month. A similar increase is planned again on 1 July 2024.

Shift bonuses

The minimum amounts of shift bonuses in the 40-hour week system, shall be increased as follows from 1 July 2023:

• Morning shift: EUR 0.85 gross/hour;
• Afternoon shift: EUR 0.85 gross/hour;
• Night shift: EUR 2.85 gross/hour.

Additional benefits in case of temporary unemployment and prophylactic leave

The additional allowance in case of temporary unemployment shall increase:

• From 01/07/2023, to 12.50 EUR per day of partial unemployment (instead of EUR 11.50);
• From 01/07/2024, to EUR 13.50 per day of partial unemployment.

The same increases shall apply to workers on prophylactic leave (mandatory removal from the workplace for pregnant or breastfeeding workers).

Mobility

Increase in the employer contribution for commuting by train from 1 February 2024.

Increase in the employer contribution to the cost of a monthly subscription to SNCB parking to a maximum of EUR 25/month from 1 July 2023.

Training

Introduction of the individual training right for a full-time worker of 4 days in 2023 and 5 days in 2024.

RCC/SWT (system of unemployment with company supplement)

Extension of all schemes of unemployment with company supplement (RCC/SWT).

Time credit

Extension of the access to time credit with motive from 01/07/2023 to 30/06/2025:

• Motive of care: 51 months (full-time and half-time);
• Motive of training: 36 months (full-time and half-time).

Extension of time credit end-of-career job from age 55 when 1/5 reduction and half-time until 30/06/2025.

Introduction of a monthly additional allowance of EUR 40 to be borne by the employer under the 1/5th end-of-career job scheme for workers over 60 years of age and with at least 5 years of seniority, starting 1 July 2023. 

Various

• Extension of the award of a compensatory allowance when transferring to a day job from age 55 (workable work - soft end-of-career job).
• Periods of prophylactic leave are also included in the calculation of the end-of-year bonus.
• Taking over seniority of temporary workers to a maximum of 24 months for recruitments starting 1 July 2023.
• Additional days of seniority leave as of 1 January 2024:
  • 1 day after 15 years;
  • 1 day after 20 years (instead of after 25 years);
  • 1 day after 30 years (new).
• One age-related day of leave for workers aged 60 who are not entitled to 3 days of seniority leave.

More information

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

Source:  CLAs of 29 June 2023 regarding the National Agreement 2023-2024 (JC 207 and JC 116)