According to a set of labor market reforms unveiled on Tuesday, employees
in Belgium will soon have the option of working four days each week.
Workers will also be granted the freedom to switch off work-related gadgets
and disregard work-related messages after hours without fear of retaliation
as part of the reform package approved by the nation's multi-party coalition
government.
"We have had two challenging years. We created a lighthouse for a more
inventive, sustainable, and digital economy with this agreement. Making
people and companies stronger is the goal "Alexander de Croo, the prime
minister of Belgium, announced the reform package during a news
conference.
Under the new regulations, gig economy workers will also have more legal
safeguards, while full-time employees will be able to request flexible work
hours.
The proposed legislation must pass many readings by federal MPs before
being approved, so it might take months to implement the
modifications.
Work-life harmony
Work-life balance is one of the major issues affected by Belgium's recent
labor changes, which affect both public and private sector workers.
Employees will have the option to seek a four-day workweek under the draft
reform proposal approved by the nation's federal government.
According to Belgian Labor Minister Pierre-Yves Dermagne, "This needs to be
done at the request of the employee, with the employer presenting strong
reasons for any denial."
Employees will be allowed to request to work four days a week for a period
of six months, a government spokeswoman revealed to Euronews Next. After
then, they would have no reason to stop the agreement or go back to working
a five-day week.
They explained that they set a six-month timeframe so that an employee
wouldn't be trapped for too long if they made the incorrect decision.
Employees might reduce the present five-day workweek to four days under the
Belgian system. In reality, this entails continuing to work a 38-hour
workweek, with an extra day off to make up for longer workdays.
Additionally, employees will be able to ask for flexible work schedules.
Companies are now required to give schedules at least seven days in advance,
altering the minimum notice time for shifts as well.
According to Dermagne in a statement, the suggestions would be especially
beneficial for separated or divorced parents who split custody of their
children since they would allow them to spend more time with their
kids.
Drop the phone.
Federal government employees in Belgium were granted the freedom to
disconnect in January, enabling them to switch off work equipment and
disregard messages after hours without facing repercussions from their
superiors.
According to Dermagne on Tuesday, all workers in Belgium, even those
employed in the private sector, will henceforth have the same rights.
"The line separating work and personal life is become ever more permeable.
The worker's physical and mental health may be negatively impacted by these
persistent demands "explained he.
In reality, all firms with more than 20 employees will be subject to the
new rule. It will be up to employers to bargain with labor unions to
incorporate the freedom to disconnect in collective bargaining
agreements.
Platform employment rules
With employees for platforms like Uber, Deliveroo, and Just Eat Takeaway
gaining insurance against job-related injuries and clearer laws defining who
is - and is not - self-employed, the reform package also specifically
targets the gig economy.
The newly enacted labor laws in Belgium complement a planned European Union
rule that outlines five standards for determining whether or not gig workers
can be classified as employees.
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