Belgium: age no longer an influence on wage

Exceptions. The age criterion may still be applied in the case of certain categories of workers for whom it would be beneficial on the labour market. The categories concerned are young employees and older workers difficult to integrate in the labour market. Only in special cases may age be considered a legitimate criterion. The pact of solidarity between generations already features reference to “wage experiments” authorising employers to use temporarily  adjusted wage scales not contrary to those set by legislation.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

s integrated into the anti-discrimination law of February 25, 2003. Today many sectors (iron and steel, chemicals, banks, insurance) set wages according to the age of the employee. A wage system based on years of service, performance and skills is to supersede the former system. All collective agreements must discontinue by 2009 reference to age as a wage criterion. Federal employment minister Peter Vanvelthoven has already stated that he no longer considers as binding collective agreements whi

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
Portugal: open consultation on the transposition of the Pay Transparency Directive
The news. On 5 August 2026, the Portuguese government published a document proposing a draft text to transpose the EU Pay Transparency Directive as the basis for a public consultation open until...
EU: the Commission will set up an Expert Group on the impact of AI in the world of work
The news. On 22 July 2026, the European Commission published a progress report on the EU-27’s achievements regarding the objectives of the European Pillar of Social Rights, reinforced by the...
Belgium: toward an additional five days of leave following the birth of a child
The news. On 18 July, the Belgian federal government approved a draft bill introducing an additional five days of leave following the birth of a child. This entitlement would be added to existing...
Germany: a national action plan to strengthen collective bargaining
The news. On 22 July, the German federal government unveiled a national action plan to promote collective bargaining in response to the requirements of the EU minimum wage directive. The directive...