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ARTICLE · 20 JANUARY 2017

Expected Labour Law Changes in Belgium

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The Belgian government is proposing reform of the law on statutory working time in favour of more flexible working.

BelgiumEmployment and HR
Joanne Martin
Joanne Martin

Working time

Reform of the legislation on the statutory working time: The Belgian government is proposing reform of the law on statutory working time in favour of more flexible working. The reforms still have to be passed by Parliament. The most important aspects of the reform are:

  • The average working time to be applied will no longer be calculated per quarter, but per year ("annualisation") – An employee will be allowed to work a maximum of 9 hours per day and 45 hours per week, provided that the annual working time is not exceeded.
  • A package of a maximum 100 hours of voluntarily performed paid overtime. In principle, overtime work entitles the employee to overtime pay and compensatory rest. Each employee will be able to choose not to take compensatory rest for an additional 100 hours of (paid) overtime work. An individual's agreement will be needed.

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