The Belgian government last night reached agreement on major reforms to the labour market. What does the accord mean for you?
The reforms mean a uniform overtime system will be introduced, with 360 hours a year on a voluntary basis. That is more than at present. Taxes on overtime are being lowered. No extra tax will be due on the first 240 hours. In the hospitality sector, the ceiling is 450 hours with 360 tax-free.
The ban on night work is being axed in the e-commerce and the logistics sectors and bonuses will only be due between midnight and 5am. The measures do not apply to people already doing night work. People already on nights today will not earn less when the new rules come into force.
Minimum weekly working hours, currently a third of the whole, will disappear. Today, employers are obliged to hire people for at least one-third of a full-time job. This stipulation is being abolished. This should help combat undeclared work, the government believes.
Red tape is also being cut for people doing temporary or agency work.