Belgium: seniors at the heart of the new employment policy

Age pyramid in the company.  The Belgian government decided to address the issue of senior employment head-on, while 38.6 percent of 55-64 year-olds had a job in early 2011.  As part of a mass layoff, businesses will have to take account of the age of the employees concerned to maintain a balanced age pyramid in the company.  The new system provides that workers will be listed under three categories: under 30, 30-49 and over 50.  Employment Minister Monica De Coninck says the point is to put an end to discrimination against older workers, who often bore the brunt of mass layoffs.  When they fail to comply with the law, businesses may loose, for two years, some of their rights to reduced contributions.  The government also wants businesses to plan special annual plans on the employment of people over 50.  Businesses with less than 20 employees are not concerned.  Others may rely on a model provided by public employment services.  For employers, the point will be to shed light on the measures taken to maintain seniors at work and to recruit more.  The government thinks that the new law should give more value to older workers in businesses, reminding companies of their value-added in terms of experience or even stress-resistance.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

ernment also wants businesses to plan special annual plans on the employment of people over 50. Businesses with less than 20 employees are not concerned. Others may rely on a model provided by public employment services. For employers, the point will be to shed light on the measures taken to maintain seniors at work and to recruit more. The government thinks that the new law should give more value to older workers in businesses, reminding companies of their value-added in terms of experienc

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...
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
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...