N-VA’s proposal for the unemployed: higher initial payment, faster reduction over time

“We want to encourage job seekers to accept work more quickly.” The N-VA has prepared a bill to reduce unemployment benefits at a faster pace. At present, an unemployed person falls back to the minimum payment after a maximum of 48 months, and the N-VA wants to reduce this to 24 months. The party is not changing the minimum amounts.

Higher payment in the first months

The phased reduction of the unemployment benefit is part of the labour deal concluded by the so-called Swedish coalition last summer. The fall of the federal government means that this has not yet been implemented. That is why the N-VA is putting forward its own plan for unemployment. Under this plan, payment in the first three months after dismissal is higher than is currently the case: 70% of the last wage instead of 65%.

Minimum benefit after 24 months

Then the benefit gradually decreases, ending up at the minimum payment after a maximum of 24 months. “With our proposal, we wanted to stay as close as possible to the agreements of last summer. This means that we first increase the payment and then reduce it more quickly to arrive at the same minimum,” the N-VA says.

Exception for older people

Regarding accelerated phased reduction, the N-VA is making an exception for older unemployed people, who would not see their benefit fall any further after one year of unemployment. “This exception now applies to those over 55; the N-VA wants to raise this age requirement to 60. Also, anyone who follows a training course for a profession in high demand would not see his or her benefit drop further,” the N-VA says.