Federal Government’s Socio-Economic Reforms Face Backlash
The opposition parties and trade unions have on Monday strongly criticised the federal government’s summer agreement, consisting of important socio-economic reforms. After a night of negotiations, federal majority parties unveiled reforms affecting pensions, the labor market, healthcare, and taxes. Prime Minister Bart De Wever stated, “What this government is doing in less than six months is unprecedented in Belgium in this century.” Earlier, he referred to these changes as “the biggest socio-economic reforms of the century,” reports 24brussels.
Opposition leaders expressed their discontent, with Pierre-Yves Dermagne of PS calling it “a deluge of anti-social measures.” Stefaan Van Hecke from Groen echoed these sentiments, stating, “Workers will have to bend over backwards for less pay, working late or early hours with unpredictable schedules.”
Tom Van Grieken of Vlaams Belang remarked on the adverse impact of pension reforms on vital societal contributors, including stay-at-home parents and informal caregivers, highlighting that “working must pay off.”
“Belgium is in danger of becoming the Wild West”
Sofie Merckx from PVDA warned that Belgium risks becoming “the Wild West,” where years of progress in worker protection are at stake. She cited the proposed tax-free overtime increase and the removal of minimum working hours as significant setbacks.
The liberal party Open VLD criticized the reforms for not going far enough, with parliament leader Alexia Bertrand noting, “Although certain reforms in the labor market and pensions are a step in the right direction, there has been another significant shift to the left.”
Unions Express Outrage
Trade unions have voiced their strong objections, with Ann Vermorgen from the Christian union ACV stating, “80 years of social progress in terms of working hours and pensions have been wiped out overnight.” Bert Engelaar of the socialist union ABVV added, “For employees, there has never been such a rollback in the past 100 years.”
“For employees, there has never been such a rollback in the past 100 years”
The liberal union ACLVB offered a more measured perspective, welcoming fiscal measures intended to enhance purchasing power, especially given the absence of wage increases.
Employers Respond Favorably
In contrast, employers’ organizations reacted positively to the reforms. Pieter Timmermans of VBO remarked, “The reform train has now definitely left the station,” emphasizing the need for a competitive labor market to enhance business capabilities.
“The new federal government has got off to a flying start”
Hans Maertens from Voka concurred, stating that the government’s swift initiation of reforms bodes well for the economy. However, he noted that further developments are necessary. Meanwhile, entrepreneurs’ organization Unizo expressed cautious optimism, highlighting measures that positively impact self-employed individuals and employers.
