Belgium pushes through wide-ranging labour reforms
Belgium's federal government is introducing a sweeping package of labour market reforms. Changes include extended flexi-job arrangements, expanded student work rights, the liberalisation of night work rules and higher voluntary overtime limits.
The Council of Ministers approved extending the flexi-jobs scheme - which allows people already in employment or retirement to take on additional work - to all sectors. Rules governing regulated professions, such as care roles, will continue to apply, and social partners retain the option to exclude or regulate flexi-jobs in their sector.
The government is also lifting the ban on full-time employees taking up a flexi-job with a company affiliated with their own employer, a measure intended to better reflect the realities of the hospitality sector. One year after the legislation enters into force, joint committees will evaluate how flexi-jobs are being used in their sector. The changes will be presented to Parliament before this summer.
Lower age limit for students
The rules on student work are also being loosened. The age limit for student work will be lowered from 16 to 15 through an upcoming Royal Decree. Currently, 15-year-olds may only work if they are no longer subject to compulsory full-time schooling, and the specific protective measures applying to this age group will continue to apply.
A second Royal Decree will allow young people aged 16 and over to work on Sundays and public holidays in the retail sector, in residential care homes and as lifeguards at the coast, in publicly accessible swimming pools or swimming ponds. The measure responds to calls from coastal municipalities to ensure sufficient lifeguard coverage during school holidays and the summer period.
Night work allowed
Under current law, night work - defined as work between 8 pm and 6 am - is only permitted through sector-level exceptions, and employees are typically paid a premium for it. From 1 June, night work will no longer be prohibited. The measure was approved by the Chamber of Representatives on Thursday.
In the distribution, logistics and e-commerce sectors, a specific regime will apply under which night work will be defined as work between 11 pm and 6 am. As a result, workers recruited after the new rules come into force will no longer receive a night work bonus for hours worked between 8 pm and 11 pm, though existing contracts will remain unaffected.
Further measures approved by the Chamber include capping the maximum notice period at 52 weeks and an increase in voluntary overtime. The annual limit for voluntary overtime will rise to 360 hours across all sectors, with no requirement for justification or compulsory compensatory rest. In the hospitality sector, the limit will increase to 450 hours.
© BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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