In Belgium, the government has agreed on a labour reform package, which sets forth offering workers the four-day working week public servants have enjoyed recently. In addition, the right not to answer to information received from one’s employer will be also granted to the Belgian workforce, the Euronews broadcaster reports.
As announced by the Belgian prime minister, Alexander de Croo, on Tuesday, February 15, workers in the EU country’s gig economy will also receive stronger legal protections under the new rules, while full-time employees will be able to work flexible schedules on demand.
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«We have experienced two difficult years. With this agreement, we set a beacon for an economy that is more innovative, sustainable and digital. The aim is to be able to make people and businesses stronger,» de Croo said at a press conference.
According to the plan on reducing the number of working days, employees would be able to condense the current five-day week into four days. In practice this means maintaining a 38-hour working week, with an additional day off meant compensating for longer work days.
In Belgium’s complex political and legislative structure, passing the reforms into law could take months, as the draft legislation must pass multiple readings by federal lawmakers before being put in force.
Belgium to introduce four-day working week
