Long-term sick: Belgian government introduces sanctions for employers and employees

Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo and Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke presented this Friday May 13 a reform regarding the return of long-term patients to the work market. “This is part of our strategy to boost employment and reach an 80% rate. The job offers which remain unanswered are not only an economic problem but also a societal one, for example if we cannot recruit nurses,” explained De Croo.

The measures endorsed by the council of ministers targets salaried workers. As announced in October, a mechanism has been set up to support long-term patients who are able to work again, even partially.

The process begins with a questionnaire. In the event of repeated and unjustified refusal to complete it or to respond to the invitations that follow, the worker risks losing 2,5% of his compensation.

According to minister of Social Affairs Vandenbroucke, the goal is not to punish workers: “We create a right to be reintegrated into society."

Companies that have too many long-term sick people can also receive a sanction. In this case a specific employer contribution of 2,5% on an annual basis.

According to the minister of Social Affairs, Frank Vandenbroucke, the goal is not to punish workers. “We create a right to be reintegrated into society. It is a solidarity project. We want to create opportunities for people who are sick for a long time and who can be reintegrated in an appropriate way,” he said in a press conference.

Today, 500.000 workers in Belgium are on sick leave for more than a year. In 2020, there were around 323.000 unemployed persons in Belgium. ​

(VIV)

Photo shows a protest action by Medecine pour le Peuple - Geneeskunde voor het Volk entitled 'For long-term patients: respect, no sanctions' against plans to sanction sick workers, last October in Brussels ​ © BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT