Flemish nationalist N-VA, socialist Vooruit and Christian democrat CD&V have reached a coalition agreement for a new Flemish government. VRT News has been given access to the substance of the accord. Efforts to get people to renovate newly purchased homes to make them more energy efficient are being relaxed. Discrimination on the labour market is being tackled and public broadcaster VRT is actually going to be given more cash.
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New Flemish government: less stricter renovation goals, discrimination on the labour market tackled
Colin Clapson
Published:
Renovation requirement eased
Anybody buying a house now has to renovate it within five years so that it at least has a D EPC label. The intention was to gradually raise that to label A by 2040 for houses and by 2045 for flats.
The new Flemish government is axing these plans: label D remains the target, but the bar will not be systematically raised in coming years. The deadline to meet the current target is extended, from 5 to 6 years.
Action on discrimination in recruitment: discrimination tests on the labour market, but not on the rental market
One of the ways the new government wants to combat discrimination on the labour market is by introducing tests. Tests will be carried out to ensure employers are not discriminating during hiring and recruitment. The tests will be scientifically supported. An improvement plan with the emphasis on raising awareness will be introduced and progress will be measured.
There is no mention of practical tests on the rental market. The Flemish government says it remains ‘committed to increasing public awareness, self-regulation by the sector, training and targeted checks by the Flemish Social Inspectorate.’
Flemish TV and radio: standard Dutch and reflecting society are musts
Flemish public broadcaster VRT is getting extra resources and must ‘more than ever focus on its public mission’, the coalition agreement states. The public broadcaster must continue to focus on ‘news, information, education’ and offer a wide range of programming ‘on Flemish culture and sports’. The VRT must also ‘propagate Flemish identity’ and attach the ‘highest importance to the standard Dutch language’.
‘VRT should also show restraint in entering into agreements with screen celebs. The broadcaster must also adopt a market-based and cost-conscious attitude. It should ensure that presenters reflect the diversity of the Flemish community.’
The action plan on transgressive behaviour in the media sector and the social charter will be closely monitored. In this respect the VRT must set an example.