Belgium: the national employment services publishes its 2008 annual report

Compensation figures. The average number of people receiving benefits from the ONEM each month, directly or indirectly, is the same as last year. In more detail, the group of jobseekers receiving compensation – i.e. 658.590 people – decreased of 4.6% compared with 2007, workers supported by the ONEM increased of 7.2%, mostly because of partial unemployment measures. The report also evaluates the program for accompanying jobseekers established by the ONEM, which has recently been criticized by the Walloon Federation of Public Social Protection Centers (CPASs) (see our dispatch No. 090279). Whereas, in 2008, there were 6.425 limited benefit breaks and 4.523 exclusions from the unemployment system, these figures were, respectively, 4.896 and 2.562 in 2007. Concerning the fight against tax evasion, more efforts have been made. In the quest for faux social documents, 591 dubious businesses were detected and 3.273 workers’ cases were examined.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

er, the gender gap is getting smaller. Although the ONEM sees this as a success for the system, others are talking about a new form of temporary unemployment as a direct consequence from businesses’ decrease in productivity. Finally, the annual report also confirms the success of service employment vouchers. 65 million were sold to 778.000 users, i.e. an increase of almost 30% in one year.


Compensation figures. The average number of people receiving benefits from the ONEM each month, directly or

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
Spain: government and trade unions strike agreement on occupational risk prevention reform
The Spanish government and trade unions have agreed to revise workplace health and safety legislation to extend prevention protocols to cover psychosocial risks, as well as risks linked to climate...
11 February 2026
Solvay’s global digitalisation agreement incorporates issue of AI
On 15 December 2025, chemical company Solvay (9,000 employees) signed an addendum to its 2020 global agreement on digitalisation with its global forum and European works council. “The pace...
2026 TRENDS — Tackling skills shortages and mismatches
mind HR is analysing the trends that will shape 2026. Skills shortages have become a central challenge for businesses, reflecting deep-seated shifts in the labour market as roles evolve rapidly...
Italy: government kicks off transposition of EU Pay Transparency Directive
On 5 February, the Italian government approved legislation transposing the EU Pay Transparency Directive, designed to tackle gender pay discrimination — a particularly acute issue in Italy. The...
10 February 2026
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
Germany: government seeks to facilitate immigration of skilled Indian workers
During a visit to India earlier this week, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz addressed the strategic importance of attracting Indian workers to Germany, signing a series of cooperation agreements...
2
2026 TRENDS — Tackling skills shortages and mismatches
mind HR is analysing the trends that will shape 2026. Skills shortages have become a central challenge for businesses, reflecting deep-seated shifts in the labour market as roles evolve rapidly...
3
France: Medef publishes guide to support career transitions and retraining
France's largest employer federation Medef has provided its regional representatives with a practical guide designed to support career transitions and retraining. Structured around three key tools...
6 February 2026
4
EU: Commission wants to facilitate entry of international ‘talent’
In a recommendation published on 29 January, the European Commission calls on member states to take a series of measures to attract and retain international talent. It targets holders of skilled...
5
France: 2026 budget expected to maintain employer contribution relief
On 19 January 2026, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu decided to invoke Article 49.3 of the Constitution to pass France's 2026 budget without a vote in the National Assembly. Three days...
6
EU: Cyprus unveils its six-month presidency programme
Cyprus has set out its priorities for its six-month presidency of the Council of the EU. On the social front, the centre-right government will focus on the Union of Skills, which aims to boost...