Some 23% of employees in Belgium received the so-called consumptiecheques, or consumer cheques, in 2023, according to HR firm SD Worx. Employers could offer their workers vouchers of up to €500 or €750, depending on the company’s profit margins.
Consumer cheques were approved by the federal government at the end of 2022 as a kind of compensation for putting a hold on salary package increases. As employers were not allowed to increase salaries above the normal index or to increase benefits in 2023, they were given the choice to offer their workers consumer cheques.
Employers that turned a profit could offer each of their workers up to €500 in consumer cheques. Those that made an “exceptional profit” could offer workers up to €750 in cheques. The vouchers could be used anywhere that accepted meal cheques or eco cheques.
Average amount is €375
Slightly more labourers received consumer cheques than administrative employees – 26% compared to 21%. The average amount administered to each employee was €375. There was quite a big regional difference, with about one-third of workers in Limburg and West Flanders getting the consumer cheques, far more than in other provinces.
“That’s because the unions in sectors active in those regions are very strong,” explained Geert Vermeir of SD Worx. That includes the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors, as well as the building and metal industries.
Companies have until the end of March to distribute the cheques to workers. The amount is loaded digitally to a worker’s existing meal or eco cheque account.