Belgium: government presents “return to work” plan targeting those on long-term sick leave

On Friday 13 May, the Belgian Council of Ministers unveiled a range of measures as part of its “return to work” plan, aimed at helping many of the 500,000 or so people in the country on long-term sickness absence (one year or more) get back into work. Belgium has more people out of work due to long-term sickness than people in unemployment (324,000 in 2021). The government intends to address this situation by placing greater responsibility on the parties concerned. The approved measures are aimed first and foremost at salaried workers. After 10 weeks out of work, an employee will have to fill in a questionnaire within two weeks, which will make it possible to assess the factors allowing or preventing a return to work. In the event of repeated and unjustified failures to respond, the person will be summoned by a medical specialist for an examination. If they do not attend, they risk losing up to 2.5% of their compensation. Companies are also affected by the measures; those with “too many” people on long-term sickness will have to pay a “responsibility contribution”. The aim is not to punish, said Frank Vandenbroucke, Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health, at a press conference, but to “boost employment”. “We are creating a right to be reintegrated into society. It is a solidarity project. We want to create opportunities for people with long-term illnesses who can be reintegrated in an appropriate way,” he said.