Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Belgium (Ratification: 1969)

The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report and the supplementary information provided by the Walloon Region, as well as the draft law on the development of domestic services to promote employment.

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. The Government states that the economy grew by more than expected during the reporting period, particularly during the second half of 1999. Growth was due primarily to business investment, exports, and household spending. The number of employed people increased by 46,000 during 1998, 49,000 during 1999 and 51,000 during 2000. The participation rate for women increased from 41.2 per cent in 1990 to 44.4 per cent in 1998; but for men it decreased from 61.9 per cent to 59.9 per cent during the same period. Part-time work as a percentage of total employment for women grew from 20 per cent to 32 per cent in the decade to 1998. The number of long-term unemployed also has gone down. In the Walloon Region, the number of employed people increased by 23,200 from 1996 to 1998, and the number of unemployed decreased by 4,300. Three-quarters of the new jobs created were in the private sector.

2. The Government states that it is moving from passive to active labour market measures. The Government indicates that linking unemployment benefits to active measures has resulted in the creation of 11,800 posts, mainly in health and domestic services (house cleaning, childcare, etc.), and it has expanded its active programmes. The Government also aims to increase the participation rate of older workers, through raising the minimum age for retirement for a full pension to 58 and making part-time work more attractive. To stimulate labour demand, it is reducing social contributions of employers. The Government aims to increase access to independent professions with independent internships and assistance in setting up a business. It is encouraging the voluntary establishment of a four-day working week, within the capacity of the enterprise and without prejudice to the salary of the worker. The Committee requests that the Government send any information it may have on the numbers and types of workers availing themselves of this four-day working week option. The Committee notes this information and would appreciate being kept informed of the impact of these measures on employment promotion. Please also continue to provide information on how employment policies and programmes are kept under review within a coordinated framework of economic and social policy.