All articles - page 50

End of an obstacle to women's participation in societal engagement

The ban on combining maternity leave with a local political mandate or certain forms of volunteering will be scrapped. From the 15th day after giving birth, the women concerned will be able to continue these commitments without losing their benefits. This option will also be extended to birth leave, adoption leave and foster parent leave, so that parenthood is no longer a brake on civic engagement.

Federal Self-employed and SMEs

12 May 2026 Our results

Maternity leave for self-employed women finally brought in line with that of employees

Self-employed women will now be able to take up to 15 weeks of maternity leave, just like employees. This measure puts an end to unequal treatment and gives self-employed mothers more choice to welcome their child in better conditions, without being penalised by their professional status.

Federal Self-employed and SMEs

12 May 2026 Our results

Authorisation for shops to open 7 days a week and until 9pm

This measure gives retailers more freedom, without obliging them to stay open longer. It will allow them to respond better to customers' changing habits, remain competitive against online retail and give people more flexibility to shop whenever it suits them.

Federal Self-employed and SMEs

12 May 2026 Our results

“Specialised craftsmen”: a new status to better recognise the expertise of food trade professionals

A new form of recognition to promote specialist artisans in the food trades, such as bakers, pastry chefs, butchers, caterers and restaurateurs. This certification will make it easier to identify professionals who focus on quality, home-made products, respect for ingredients and good practice. For consumers, it means greater transparency and greater confidence when choosing their products and their artisans.

Federal Self-employed and SMEs

12 May 2026 Our results

A more democratic, transparent and efficient Order of Architects

A reform to make the Order of Architects more open, more transparent and more effective. By giving more room to young architects and trainees, publishing key financial information and improving how it operates, the profession gains in clarity, representativeness and trust. A stronger framework to support construction projects with rigour and responsibility.

Federal Self-employed and SMEs

12 May 2026 Our results

SME Plan 2025: More opportunities, fewer obstacles

89 measures to strengthen Belgium's small and medium-sized enterprises, with one simple idea: “More opportunities, fewer obstacles”. Less red tape, better access to finance, easier access to public procurement and more support for the self-employed will allow entrepreneurs to focus on what matters: creating activity, jobs and value for our country.

Federal Self-employed and SMEs

12 May 2026 Our results

The MR calls for a parliamentary committee to establish responsibility for the botched nuclear phase-out fiasco and define energy sovereignty for the future

The Mouvement Réformateur Council calls for the creation of a parliamentary committee to draw lessons from the nuclear phase-out decided more than twenty years ago, identify political responsibilities...

Energy Federal Institutional Press releases

11 May 2026 News

Work made easier and rewarded: the MR secures crucial and historic measures to modernise the labour market and meet needs on the ground

On the eve of 1 May, our Minister of Employment David Clarinval and the Minister for Self-Employed Workers Eléonore Simonet secured historic agreements: flexi-jobs extended to ALL sectors, the permitted income ceiling raised to €18,000, and finally full equality for self-employed mothers with 15 weeks of maternity leave. The MR is modernising the Belgian labour market and meeting the needs of

Employment Federal Institutional

9 May 2026 Our positions

End of an obstacle to women's participation in societal engagement

The Minister for the Self-Employed and SMEs, Eléonore SIMONET, has decided to abolish the current ban on combining maternity leave with holding a local political mandate and other forms of volunteerin...

Equal opportunities Federal Self-employed and SMEs

8 May 2026 News

Strengthening teachers' digital skills for a school equal to today's challenges

The Wallonia-Brussels Federation Government has adopted, at first reading, two draft decrees aimed at strengthening teacher training, both in terms of digital skills and the implementation of the new ...

Education Wallonia-Brussels Federation

8 May 2026 News

Evaluating a Government's work is (finally) possible!

As Wallonia undertakes a deep transformation of its public action, the Walloon Government is progressively setting up an unprecedented system for monitoring, steering and evaluating its public policie...

Civil service Wallonia

8 May 2026 News

In Colfontaine, the MR wants to use housing as a lever for attractiveness and growth

In Colfontaine, the MR group is engaging in an in-depth reflection on how a municipality can use its property assets to support employment, attract new residents and strengthen its finances in the lon...

Housing and urban planning Local Local government Wallonia

8 May 2026 News

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