Among the arguments of the Belgian government to concentrate the working week in 4 days is “the lessons left by the pandemic”. With the measures that would be implemented, they assure, there will be better jobs and quality of life.
The Belgian Government reached an agreement on Tuesday for the reform of the labor market that includes the possibility of concentrate the work week in four days or make the schedules more flexible to “give workers more freedom”said Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.
The ministerial committee that brings together De Croo and his deputy prime ministers reached the agreement, which pursues the objective of making the labor market more flexible so that Belgium reaches an employment rate of 80% 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 pandemicin which teleworking has been mandatory or has been strongly recommended and has led employees to new situations of conciliation.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Employment, the French-speaking socialist Pierre-Yves Dermagne, indicated in his profile on Twitter 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 to reconcile professional and family life and employment is promoted.
Main measures
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 may also choose a variable weekly scheduleworking 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”.
In addition, the Workers with variable schedules must 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 employeesexplained the Belgian Government.
Another aspect of the agreement is the extension of the right to disconnect outside working hoursso that employees are not “pressured to respond to messages or emails.”