Time limit on unemployment benefits officially approved in parliament

Late Thursday night, the federal parliament finally gave the green light to the program act. This means a long list of socio-economic reforms can now be fully implemented.

The centerpiece of the act is the decision to limit unemployment benefits to a maximum of two years. “Work must and will pay more. At last, we’re putting an end to lifelong unemployment—this is a historic moment for our country. Many talk about it, but the Arizona coalition is actually doing it,” said MP Axel Ronse, head of the parliamentary group. “This reform is absolutely essential if we want future generations to continue benefiting from our Social security Social security is currently managed at the Federal level in Belgium. The most important pillars of Belgian social security are: sickness and invalidity insurance (NIDHI), pensions, unemployment insurance and child allowances. In addition, occupational illness, occupational accidents and annual holidays are dealt with at this level. Some Flemish parties have been campaigning for years for (large parts of) social security to be transferred to the Regions and Communities. social security system.”

A wide range of measures

The package includes more than just unemployment reform. It will become more expensive to apply for Belgian nationality, while the VAT on demolition and reconstruction will drop to six percent. Foster parents will now also be entitled to parental leave. “And we’re abolishing the tax penalty for citizens, companies, and organizations who make honest mistakes on their tax filings,” Ronse added.

A difficult process

Getting these much-needed reforms approved was no easy feat. Just a month ago, the opposition blocked the vote, temporarily preventing foster parents from accessing parental leave and saddling homeowners mid-renovation with unexpected costs.