sponsored with funds of the European Union
Belgium (BE)
Employment
In agriculture and forestry there are 9,000 workers plus 10,000 seasonal workers.
International Comparison of Employment
Wages and Labour Costs
Collective agreements are negotiated by the trade unions and the employer associations. In agriculture there are 10 collective agreements at the national level. The collective agreement is confirmed by a royal decree. Agricultural employees in Belgium are organised in the trade unions ACV, ABVV and ACCVB.
The collective agreements apply to all employees and employers.
The hourly wage is € 9.93. Employees pay 15.3 % and employers 55.0 % of the wage as welfare insurance contributions.
The income tax rate is 22 %.
A year-end premium of 6 % of the gross wage is paid to the worker.
All employees and employers are bound by the collective agreement.
International Comparison of Wages and Labour Costs
Working Time
Belgium has a 38-hour week. If the working time exceeds 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week a 50 % overtime bonus is paid in agriculture. In horticulture up to 11 hours per day and 50 hours per week are possible.
A 100 % bonus is paid for work on public holidays.
Actual working time: 1,816 hours per year.
International Comparison of Working Time
Leave and Paid Holidays
The claim to a paid holiday depends on the performance during the previous year. Then the length of the holiday is 20 days per year plus 10 public holidays. If a public holiday is a Sunday the worker is entitled to another day off. If an employee works on a public holiday he is entitled to an additional holiday. The claim to wage payment and to an additional holiday benefit has to be addressed to a holiday fund.
International Comparison of Leave and Paid Holidays
Social Insurance
The welfare insurance is organised by the state, and the Inspectorate for Social Law monitors the agreements on worker protection.
Occupational Health and Safety
Health and safety at work is integrated in the mandatory welfare insurance system and administrated by the work accidents fund. Employers have to take out insurance for their employees with a registered insurance company or mutual fund.
International Comparison of Occupational Health and Safety
Trade Union Influence
The trade union ACV has 3,500 members in the agricultural sector. ACV has 10 organised works councils.
International Comparison of Trade Union Influence
Minimum Standards
There is a statutory minimum wage in Belgium (Cf. Table).
International Comparison of Minimum Standards
Trade Union Participation
Trade union delegates are elected at the company level every four years.
The social security bodies are led by an administration body with two-partite membership.
International Comparison of Trade Union Participation
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