The number of people working a “flexi-job” in Belgium has increased 14% on last year, as more employees seek to earn extra on the side
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Flexi-job: More than quarter of a million people take advantage of tax-free work
Lisa Bradshaw
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Last year some 262,000 people in Belgium had a “flexi-job” – tax-free work done on top of their regular jobs. It is a 14% increase on the year before for the system that becomes more popular every year.
In Belgium, employees who work at least four days a week have the right to do a flexi-job, which falls under a different tax status for both workers and employers. Workers earn the extra income – up to €18,000 per year – tax free, while employers do not have to pay social security taxes for the workers.
Expanding to all sectors
Not every job is a flexi-job: The system was launched to ease the pressure on restaurants and other food service businesses that could not keep up with demand during extremely busy periods, like weekends or school holidays at the coast.
Once limited to food service, flexi-jobs are now also allowed in supermarkets, education and the care sector, including childcare. The federal government has already approved a bill that would see flexi-jobs offered in all sectors. It is expected to come into force this summer.
Flexi-jobs have turned out to be a big hit on the labour market
Jasper Hubeau of RSZ
The number of flexi-jobs on offer increases every quarter, according to Jasper Hubeau of the National Social Security Office (RSZ). “Flexi-jobs have turned out to be a big hit on the labour market,” he says. “The majority of flexi-jobbers earn far less than €12,000 per year, with the average at €1,900. It clearly concerns supplementary income."
Flexi-jobs are open to anyone with the right to work in Belgium who are employed at least four full-time days a week. The system is also open to those receiving a pension, though the largest age group is 25 to 39 years old.