The Liberal minister has dismissed claims from some unions that they are slavers and underemployers, stating that it is not the case. The conflict at Delhaize followed the company’s announcement that it will transfer 128 stores to franchise status, which the Minister of the Independents believes highlights the need for labor market reform. The supermarket chain argues that the cost of operating a store on a Sunday is too high in integrated stores, leading to the shift towards smaller franchise structures with more flexible working conditions. The minister believes that Belgium needs labor market reform to modernize and end rigidity. He also points out that workers are willing to work on Sundays, and that the characterization of them as unwilling is unfair.
“I hear some unions saying they are slavers, underemployers. It’s scandalous, it’s not at all the case,” said the Liberal minister.
The social conflict at Delhaize, a historic Belgian brand absorbed a few years ago by the Dutch company Ahold (Albert Heijn, bol.com…), followed the company’s announcement, on March 7, that it intends to transfer all the stores that it still manages directly, ie 128 brands (out of 764) to franchise status. For the Minister of the Independents, this event above all demonstrates the importance of “having a form of labor market reform”.
The cost, for the supermarket chain, of operating a shop on a Sunday, for example, would be too high in integrated stores, which would partly explain the push towards smaller franchise structures where working conditions are more flexible. , he explains in essence. “In Belgium we have far too much rigidity, far too much difficulty for an employer to be able to manage a company in a modern way”. However, in the example of the Sunday opening, “workers are ready to work on Sunday, we must stop caricaturing”, launches David Clarinval.
In conclusion, the recent social conflict at Delhaize highlights the importance of labor market reform in Belgium. While the company’s decision to transfer stores to franchise status has led to tension, the Minister of the Independents disputes claims by unions that they are “slavers” or underemployers. He argues that the move towards smaller franchises will offer greater flexibility in working conditions. However, there is a need for greater agility in the labor market in Belgium to enable companies to operate in a more modern way. While there may be challenges ahead, it’s clear that the issue of labor reform is one that needs to be addressed.
