Belgium agrees to concentrate the working week in four days

Government Belgian reached an agreement on Tuesday for the reform of the labor market that includes the possibility of concentrating the work week in four days or making the schedules more flexible for “give workers more freedomsaid Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.

The ministerial committee that brings together De Croo and his deputy prime ministers reached an agreement this morning, which 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, indicated the public channel RTBF.

De Croo explained in a press conference that they have taken into account the lessons learned during the pandemic, in which teleworking has been mandatory or has been strongly recommended and has led employees to new situations of conciliation.

The deputy prime minister and head of Economy and Employment, the French-speaking socialist Pierre-Yves Dermagne, indicated on his Twitter profile that the pact contains “concrete advances for all workers”.

Specifically, he 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.

One of the main measures included in the agreement is that workers can choose the possibility of concentrating their working hours on four days a week, so that they could enjoy a day off on the fifth day.

Employees will also be able to 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 formulas, which the Belgian press highlights as “interesting in co-parenting situations”.

What’s more, workers with variable schedules should know their schedule at least seven days in advance.

On the other hand, the pact plans to facilitate evening employment for e-commerce companies (between 8:00 p.m. and midnight), to better protect workers on platforms such as Uber or Deliveroo.

People who have given or received a dismissal notice may also start working for another company during that period.

Every year, companies must also submit a training plan for their employees, explained the Belgian government.

Another aspect of the agreement is the extension of the right to disconnect outside working hours, so that employees do not have “pressure to respond to messages or emails”.