By coincidence, as we celebrate Labour Day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment David Clarinval has secured a series of agreements in the Council of Ministers and Parliament for his labour market reforms. After the time-limiting of unemployment benefits, adopted in 2025, it was the turn of the major structural labour market reforms to be voted on. In addition, David Clarinval obtained an agreement on second reading on the extension of flexi-jobs in the Council of Ministers. A double success marking a profound modernisation of Belgian labour law.
Our Minister of Employment has secured the agreement of the entire government on extending flexi-jobs to all sectors. A major step forward that meets the strong demand from employers, who see it as an essential lever to more easily find the workforce they need, as well as from those who want to work more to earn more.
Extended access to all sectors
Flexi-jobs are now open to all private and public sectors, in compliance with access rules for protected professions, including care roles. Social partners retain the option to exclude or regulate flexi-jobs through an opt-out mechanism, with the possibility of a later opt-in.
The ban on working a flexi-job at a company linked to one's employer is lifted for full-time employees.
“With this flexi-job reform, I am responding to a demand from the field. Many workers want to work more, while many employers struggle to find manpower. By extending this system to all sectors and raising the ceiling to €18,000, we are providing a concrete answer to these needs.” says the minister.
Reforms for competitiveness
Parliament has voted in plenary session a series of major labour law reforms, giving concrete form to the commitments of the federal government set out in the coalition agreement.
Belgium was one of the last European countries to maintain a general ban on night work. This ban is now lifted in all sectors. For the distribution, logistics and e-commerce sectors, specific rules ensuring a balance between flexibility and protection are provided.
Simplification and flexibility
Minister Clarinval is putting an end to overly complex work regulations: companies will now be able to include a working-time framework in their regulations, rather than listing every possible schedule. This mechanism, already in force for variable part-time workers, is being extended to all employees.
In addition, the minimum one-third rule for part-time workers is being lowered to one-tenth of the weekly full-time working hours, opening the door to more flexible jobs adapted to actual needs.
More voluntary overtime
The system of voluntary overtime is being extended and made permanent:
- 360 voluntary overtime hours per year in all sectors, with no justification required and no compensatory rest.
- For 240 of these hours: gross equals net (no social contributions or personal income tax). The worker therefore keeps everything they earn.
- In the hospitality sector: 450 hours, of which 360 without extra pay and with gross equal to net.
Notice period capped at 52 weeks
For new contracts, the notice period will be capped at 52 weeks.
This measure promotes mobility and career transitions. Very long notice periods can paradoxically act as a brake, as workers hesitate to change employer for fear of losing accumulated protection, sometimes to the detriment of their professional development.
For employers, the measure improves predictability and reduces the risk associated with hiring experienced profiles, thereby encouraging the recruitment of senior workers.
Student work from age 15
David Clarinval has fulfilled the third condition set out in the coalition agreement: access to student work from age 15. Currently, this is only possible for young people who are no longer subject to full-time compulsory schooling (i.e. those in the third year of secondary school). This condition will be lifted by a royal decree to be published on 4 May 2026: all young people aged 15 and above will therefore be able to take up student work. Specific protective measures are nevertheless provided for this category.
A second royal decree, to be published in the coming days, will allow young people aged 16 and above to work on Sundays and public holidays in retail, care and nursing homes, as well as lifeguards at the coast, in public swimming pools or bathing ponds.
“With these reforms, we are correcting a labour market in Belgium that was far too rigid. Eagerly awaited by both employers and workers, they provide a concrete response to realities on the ground. They allow those who wish to work more to do so and make our labour market more dynamic and competitive. With these reforms, our country is finally ready for the 21st century.” says the Minister of Employment, with satisfaction.