Belgium's workforce is highly skilled, educated, and productive. Belgian workers are the most productive in the EU. The workforce is well paid and has both generous employer and government benefits. However, there are wide regional differences in wages, unemployment, and quality of life. Generally, conditions are better in Flanders and the German-speaking areas than in the French-speaking areas.
The nation's educational system is designed to prepare workers for entry into the workforce. From the age of 15 onward, children may work part-time while they attend school. In addition, industrial apprenticeship programs are available for students between the ages of 16 and 18. There is also vocational training available for both students and adults. The national government and regional governments offer a variety of incentives for retraining workers. These initiatives are designed to reduce the national social security burden.
There are laws against forced labor. The minimum age for a person to begin working is 15. Since education is mandatory until age 18, students may only work part-time during the school year. Youths may work full-time during school vacation periods. Both the national and regional governments aggressively enforce child labor laws.
In 1999, the government revised its legislation on equal opportunity in the workplace. The new laws outlawed sexual harassment, and continued the ban on gender discrimination in hiring, working conditions, wages, and termination. Equal treatment of men and women is guaranteed by the constitution. In 1999, legislation was passed requiring that women make up one-third of all candidates running for office. Economic inequities between men and women continue. For instance, the female unemployment rate was 10.9 percent in 1998, while the male unemployment rate was 6.7 percent. In addition, women only earn 84 percent of the salary that men earn in the same professions.
The constitution guarantees the right of workers to organize and to collective bargaining. Union membership is high and 63 percent of workers belong to unions. In addition, 90 percent of workers are covered by collective bargaining agreements. National laws limit wage increases to 5.9 percent per year. Special labor courts oversee disputes between workers and businesses. Although Belgian unions often have links to political parties, they are independent of the government. While there have been several significant strikes in the past decade, including those by teachers, railway workers and air traffic controllers, these disputes were settled peacefully.
National law sets a 40-hour workweek and mandates overtime pay for work beyond 40 hours per week and for more than 8 hours a day. In addition, each workweek must include a 24-hour rest period. However, many agreements between unions and companies have separate agreements that lower the workweek to either 35 or 38 hours per week. The minimum wage for workers over the age of 21 is $1,228 per month. Workers under the age of 21 are paid on a graduated scale. Workers who are 18 years old must be paid 82 percent of the minimum wage, 19 year olds must be paid 88 percent, and 20 year olds must be paid 94 percent. There are strong safety laws and many of these regulations are supplemented by collective bargaining agreements. Although companies with more than 50 employees must have health and safety committees made up of both management and workers, the Ministry of Labor oversees workplace laws.
FAQs
In Belgium, the legal working week is 38 hours. Apart from the legal working week, enterprises may alter working time in line with their companies' requirements. Workers may work appropriately remunerated overtime.
What are the working rules in Belgium? ›
Generally speaking, working hours for employees in Belgium may not exceed eight hours per day or 40 hours per week. Many full-time employment contracts actually limit the work week to 38 hours to comply with a collective bargaining agreement. Notably, overtime is only allowed in limited circ*mstances.
What is the living conditions in Belgium? ›
Belgium is not regarded as a cheap place to live but is an economically wealthy country that offers high living standards. The OECD Better Life Index reports that Belgium scores highly on low pollution levels, water quality, voter participation, education, and skills.
What are the daily working hours in Belgium? ›
The average working hours in Belgian labor law is 38 hours a week, not more than 8 hours per day. Employees can work more than 38 hours a week only if the average working time on a quarterly or yearly basis equals 38 hours per week.
What is the employment structure in Belgium? ›
The private services sector made up 47% of total employment in 2020, while public and subsidised services accounted for 31%. Sectoral changes (the move from industry to services), technological advances and globalisation have also resulted in marked changes in the employment structure in terms of qualification levels.
How are workers treated in Belgium? ›
In Belgium, every worker has the right to equal treatment, regardless of their nationality, descent, skin colour, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, language, philosophical or religious beliefs, age, sexual orientation, state of health, wealth, physical characteristics, marital status, political views, ...
Is Belgium a good place to work? ›
Belgium is among the countries with the best work-life balance across the world, finishing in tenth place with a score of 7.7 out of 10, according to the OECD's Better Life Index.
What are common problems in Belgium? ›
- Women. ...
- Systemic Racial or Ethnic Violence and Discrimination. ...
- Children. ...
- Trafficking in Persons. ...
- Acts of Violence, Criminalization, and Other Abuses Based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, or Sex Characteristics. ...
- Persons with Disabilities. ...
- Other Societal Violence or Discrimination.
Fun Belgium Facts and Information
- You can fit the entire area of Belgium (11,849sq mi) 7 times within the state of Kansas (82,278 sq mi).
- The population of Belgium is 11.5 million compared to 3 million in Kansas.
- Belgium is among the most densely populated countries.
The Belgian standard of living is among the highest in the world, thanks to universal health care, social security coverage and an excellent education system.
Belgium introduces a four-day workweek for employees who want it. Belgium became the first country in Europe to legislate for a four-day week. In February 2022, Belgian employees won the right to perform a full workweek in four days instead of the usual five without loss of salary.
What is the workplace culture in Belgium? ›
Northern Belgians tend to be more formal, efficient and to-the-point. In Flanders, organisational structures are more relaxed, and decision-making tends to be shared. In the south, with Wallonians, you may take more time to build rapport. There may also be a more formal hierarchy between superiors and subordinates.
Are Belgians hard workers? ›
Belgium is a country good for work-life balance. Many of them, particularly those working in strictly administrative functions, are in fact assiduous timekeepers. It is a matter of 'nine-to-five', or whatever the formula may be, and that is it! Yet they are generally hard and intelligent workers from nine to five.
What is the most common job in Belgium? ›
340,000 people work as office clerk in 2023. This job leads the ranking of most common occupations for both men and women.
How is work-life balance in Belgium? ›
Belgium is celebrated for its outstanding work-life balance, ranking tenth globally with a score of 7.7 out of 10 on the OECD's Better Life Index. Despite its high performance in income, education, housing, and health, the country falls slightly below average in social connections.
What is the new rule for employees in Belgium? ›
Individual training right - Since the labour deal in 2022, an individual training right has been introduced in Belgium. The number of individual training days per full-time employee is at least 5 days per year starting from 2024 for companies as of 20 employees.
What are the norms in Belgium? ›
Do not put your hands in your pockets, yawn, scratch or use toothpicks in public. Feet should never be put on chairs or tables. Back slapping is considered offensive. The "okay" sign means zero.
What are some norms in Belgium? ›
Etiquette & Manners in Belgium
- Greetings entail a degree of formality. A brief handshake is the common greeting among people who do not know each other.
- Once a relationship is developed, three kisses on the cheek may replace the handshake. ...
- Men never kiss other men; they always shake hands.
Legal time in Belgium is now UTC + 1 hour in winter and UTC + 2 hours in summer. When it is 13:00 in UTC, it is in fact 14:00 in winter time and 15:00 in summer time.
Am I allowed to work in Belgium? ›
To employ a non-European national in Belgium, it is generally necessary to apply for authorisation for them to work. If the application is approved, the foreign national receives either a work permit (which is valid for a maximum of 90 days) or a permit obtained through the single permit procedure.
