A measure for white-collars only: the suspension of the labor contract. The last measure developed by the government is sort of like economic unemployment for blue-collar workers. "Before, there were no measures adapted to white-collar workers for working time reductions due to economic reasons" explains Anne Demelenne, FGTB general secretary. Now, employers can propose a total suspension of the labor contract for a maximum of 16 weeks each year, or a partial suspension of 26 weeks each year maximum. In this case, the worker will have to keep working at least two days a week. With this new system, employees will receive 70-75% of gross wages - with a monthly limit of €2,206. Claude Rollin (CSC) views this as "progress since we obtained for workers, in addition to these benefits, a supplement at least half as important as what blue-collar workers get for economic unemployment.” However, for the general secretary, this is only a “partial advancement since the single status issue is far from being settled.”
se. The measures proposed by Minister of Employment Joelle Micquet will be applied in 2009 and extendable once until June 30, 2010. Two measures concern both blue-collar and white-collar workers, and only concerns white-collar workers only.
Measures for all workers. Currently, private and public businesses which, for an undetermined period, chose reduced working time or the four-day week already saw their employers’ contributions cut.
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