In an interview published in Le Soir this week, federal Minister for the Self-Employed and SMEs Eléonore Simonet defended the extension of flexi-jobs and the Government's determination to get 100,000 long-term sick people back into work, in a debate with the Vice-President of the Christian Mutualities.
For the Minister, flexi-jobs are a concrete response both to businesses' labour needs and to some workers' wish to earn additional income. She also wants to make them available to the self-employed soon.
“I see the flexi-job system as a triple win. For workers, who get a small extra income. For employers, who can respond to a peak in activity. And for the State, since it brings in revenue through employer contributions of 28 %.”, the Minister explained.
Another priority defended by the Minister: tackling the rise in the number of long-term sick people and helping those who are able to return to work.
Belgium today has nearly 585,000 long-term sick people, a figure that has risen steadily for more than 20 years. For Eléonore Simonet, we must be able to question how the system works, without pointing the finger at sick people.
“I'm not pointing the finger at sick people at all. I'm questioning the system. How is it that we have nearly 600,000 long-term sick people in Belgium when we have strong social protection and employment protection?”, the Minister asks.
The Minister advocates an approach based on making all stakeholders accountable (workers, employers, doctors, health insurers and regional employment agencies), as well as better use of data, notably through data mining.
For Eléonore Simonet, the goal is clear: to help those who are able to find their way back to work.
Finally, the Minister raised questions about the number of beneficiaries of the increased allowance (BIM): “I question a system with 2.4 million beneficiaries, or 20 % of the population, when the poverty risk rate has fallen from 15 % in 2019 to 11 % in 2025. I'm not saying the status should be scrapped, but it must not be misused.”
To read the full article:
Arm wrestling over flexi-jobs: the autumn debate between Eléonore Simonet and Elise Derroitte, Le Soir