Belgium: government prepares review of mass layoff act

In May and June, in the Chamber’s social affairs taskforce, MPs made audits and exchanged views on the Renault Act which, since 1998, has been defining information and consultation procedures prior to any mass layoff.  A great majority of speakers is in favor of adjusting/reforming the law to better focus on prevention, in order to protect employment.  The next step will be to send the government’s proposals to the National Labor Council in September.  (Ref.  130481)
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15 years ago, the Renault Act provided for an employee-consultation procedure in the event of mass layoffs. There are several steps: a) the employer announces his/her will to lay off; b) he/she informs the employee representatives in writing of the reasons for the restructuring and the number of workers concerned; c) workers are informed orally so they can make observations/comments; d) the employer consults them on how to avoid/reduce layoffs, and employee representatives may ask questions or

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