Belgium: comprehensive plan to reduce long-term absenteeism to be implemented

Featured image of the article Belgium: comprehensive plan to reduce long-term absenteeism to be implemented

An article by Nathalie Tran

Publication

22 April 2025 à 10h48

Reading time

3 minutes

Publication: 22 April 2025 à 10h48

Reading time: 3 minutes

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On 11 April, the Belgian Council of Ministers approved a draft royal decree that seeks to prevent long-term sick leave and foster the reintegration of individuals in incapacity for work. The text would allow employers to monitor employees from the onset of their incapacity for work and would hand tougher penalties to employees who fail to respond to calls to return to work.

An article by Nathalie Tran

Publication

22 April 2025 à 10h48

Reading time

3 minutes

Publication: 22 April 2025 à 10h48

Reading time: 3 minutes

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On 11 April, the Belgian Council of Ministers approved a draft royal decree aimed at “empowering” workers, employers and doctors to reduce the number of long-term sick leave cases, which are constantly on the rise. Belgium currently has around 526,000 people on long-term sick leave, according to the country’s national institute for health and disability insurance (INAMI), compared with fewer than 500,000 in 2021. These measures are due to come into force on 1 January 2026.

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Featured image of the article Nathalie Tran
Nathalie Tran Editor-in-Chief Mind HR
Featured image of the article Nathalie Tran
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