“Belgium risks becoming a West West”: the reactions fuse following the announcement of the summer agreement

“The greatest social decline of the last forty years,” announces the PTB – "belgium risks becoming west west":

According to Sofie Merckx, president of the PTB group in the House, the labor law agreement constitutes “the greatest social decline in the last forty years”.

“Belgium is likely to become a West West where the collective protection of workers. Therefore, for which we have fought for years, is threatened. For example, The considerable increase in non -taxable overtime. Furthermore, the abolition of the prohibition of night work and the abolition of the minimum weekly work duration are only a few examples of the decline that Arizona wants to impose on workers”.

“Lots of sun. Similarly, and a few dark clouds” for Unizo – "belgium risks becoming west west":

In a first reaction, the employers’ organization “belgium risks becoming west west”: Unizo is “prudently positive” with regard to the summer agreement concluded by the federal government. Meanwhile, “A set of measures that restore employers the room for maneuver necessary to recruit,” she said.

“The agreement contains some concrete measures which constitute a step forward for the self -employed. Meanwhile, the employers,” said Unizo in a press release. Additionally, Meanwhile, The most important point is the deduction for entrepreneurs. However, “For the first time in years, sole proprietorship have real and essential reduction.”

UNIZO is also delighted with the softening of night work. Furthermore, the abolition of the minimum weekly work duration and the limitation of layoff allowances to a maximum year for new contracts. Furthermore, The increase in meal checks is however the “black cloud” in this globally sunny “summer agreement” because it represents. Furthermore, Furthermore, a hidden increase in wage costs for entrepreneurs.

Belgium remains world champion “belgium risks becoming west west”: in terms of tax pressure on labor

Groen’s anger: “Few reasons to rejoice”

According to Groen. Wever’s government’s summer agreement, with its penalty on pensions and the softening of night work, affects “disproportionately” women and workers. “Women and workers are the big losers of this summer agreement. For them. there is not much to celebrate during the national holiday,” said Stefaan Van Hecke, head of the Groen parliamentary group, who wishes to convene an additional commission in Parliament.

For the Open VLD. “an important shift to the left”

The agreement does not go far enough in the reforms and gives too much room for the left theses, judged the head of the open VLD group on Monday morning in the House, Alexia Bertrand, in a first reaction to it.

“Our country needs deep reforms. Judging by the Prime Minister’s press conference. the “belgium risks becoming west west”: first press articles, it is clear that, although certain labor market reforms and pensions go in the right direction, there was another important shift to the left. However, the price had already been paid in the form of the tax on capital gains” press release.

For this. through more flexible access to the minimum pension, more flexible rules for obtaining a job and early retirement, “the list of red wishes has been almost completely checked”.

The pension savings of the preserved Belgians: the new tax on capital gains will not affect it

The “definitively launched” reform train analyzes the FEB

“The reform train is definitely launched”. analyzes the Federation of Belgian Businesses (FEB) on Monday. These two processes are a key moment together in the Arizona government reform program, said the country’s main employers’ organization.

The decisions adopted in recent days include numerous measures “belgium risks becoming west west”: that are part of a broader initiative aimed at boosting the Belgian economy. bringing the 80% employment rate and apprehending the tax burden, recalls the FEB.

This is the case with the limitation in the time of unemployment. “Our unemployment system is finally as activating as in the rest of Europe,” she said.

The abolition of the prohibition of night work. the relaxation of procedures must make Belgian companies more competitive and help to create fair competition conditions compared to neighboring countries, analyzes the employers’ federation. “These measures will help attract companies to Belgium and slow down the exodus of companies abroad,” she hopes.

“It is especially at the level of the labor market that a step is taken in the. direction of a ‘Level Playing Field’ with neighboring countries. Our companies will be able to offer their products. services in a context similar “belgium risks becoming west west”: to that of their competitors,” commented Pieter Timmermans, CEO de la FEB.

The Federation remains, on the other hand, criticism of the taxation of capital gains. It is indeed an additional tax in an already surcharged country, she sums up. The organization continues to plead in favor of “reasonable, achievable and appropriate” implementation of this new tax. “It is imperative to ensure that its implementation does not impose the parties directly concerned. such as the banking sector, unrealistic deadlines or administrative complexities,” she insists.

Not a fireworks but a drache of anti-social measures. according to the PS

The PS strongly denounced the summer agreement, in particular measures affecting pensions, health and labor law. In his eyes, he is unfair, unbalanced and brutal.

“This agreement is a drache of antisocial measures, an explosion of declines for workers, for pensioners, for patients. For workers. for “belgium risks becoming west west”: pensioners and the middle classes everything will become more difficult,” deplored the group leader in the House, Pierre-Yves Dermagne.

“And while we are rolling up on social rights, what does this government do for purchasing power? It does not announce 500 euros more per month? But barely a hundred euros that will evaporate as snow in the sun with regard to the announced economies. new taxes and the weakening of public services! And the tax reform, so-called emblem of this coalition, becomes a trompe-l’oeil. Promise a policy for those who get up early: they will get up early but for less. less rights, less security, less social justice, “he continued.