Van Gyes, Guy

Ongoing discussions about pension reform for ‘heavy occupations’, the signing of an agreement in the non-profit sector and strikes in the railway sector are the main topics of this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in Belgium in the first quarter of 2018.

Delays to tax cuts in the sharing and platform economy, changes to employee notice periods, paid holiday reforms, and tax incentives for hiring young people are the main topics of this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in Belgium in the first quarter of 2018.

Protests against the proposal to introduce a points-based pension system, concerns about digitisation and the sharing economy, and further loosening of the rules governing night work are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in Belgium in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Measures to help people with disabilities or chronic diseases to participate in the Belgian labour market need to be improved, according to a report. The study, by the University of Leuven, found that support measures are seldom used, are not known about or require a lot of extra administration.

The Belgian employment rate among workers of foreign origin is far below the EU15 average, a new report has shown.

The Belgian government adopted proposals for limited wage increases on 28 April.

A new report reveals that atypical working time is less common in Belgium than in the rest of the EU15.

The number of self-employed people in Belgium has risen by 14,276 since 2013, according to a new report.

Belgium has a strong record when it comes to regulations relating to the well-being of employees in the workplace. Recently, steps have been taken to tighten up the rules when it comes to issues around psychosocial risks to workers, but employers fear changes have gone too far.

Belgium is one of a small number of countries to use a wage indexation system linking wage rises to the cost of living. However, the recent economic crisis has highlighted problems with the system and the government has even introduced legislation to veto 'cost of living' wage increases as part of its austerity measures.