The government The Belgian has reached an agreement for the labor reform that includes, as the most striking measure, the possibility of concentrating the working week in four daysat the same time that flexible hours will be allowed to “give more freedom to workers.”
In this way, workers can choose the possibility of concentrating your working hours in four days a week (with all the hours), so that they could enjoy a day off on the fifth. Employees may also opt for a variable weekly scheme, working more hours one week and having more free time the next.
In both cases, it is the employee who has to request these work formulaswhich the Belgian press highlights as “interesting in situations of co-parenting”.
The ministerial committee that brings together the Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, and his deputy prime ministers reached an agreement on the labor reform at dawn, and this has been communicated in a joint appearance this morning. It pursues the objective of making the labor market more flexible so that Belgium reach an 80% employment rate by 2030.
Currently, the employment rate stands at 71% in Belgium, with strong regional disparities. De Croo has explained in a press conference that they have taken into account the lessons learned during the pandemicin which telecommuting has been mandatory or has been strongly recommended and has led employees to new conciliation situations.
The deputy prime minister and head of Economy and Employment, the French-speaking socialist Pierre-Yves Dermagne, has also indicated that the pact contains “concrete advances for all workers.” He has especially pointed out that the right to training is reinforced, digital platform workers (such as Uber) are better protected, more guarantees are given to reconcile professional and family life and employment is promoted.
Other measures of the agreement
Among other measures that stand out from this pact is that it is foreseen make it easier for e-commerce businesses to evening employment (between 8:00 p.m. and midnight), to better protect workers on platforms such as Uber or Deliveroo.
In addition, people who have given or received a dismissal notice may also start working for another company during that period.
On the other hand, with this rule, companies must also present each year a employee training planexplained the Belgian Government.
Another aspect of the agreement is the extension of the right to disconnect outside working hours, so that employees have no “pressure to respond to messages or emails”.
Source: Lasexta
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
