Valerie Van Peel calls for cooperation on May 1

In her May Day message, N-VA chairwoman Valerie Van Peel calls for cooperation and a sense of responsibility in the debate on 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 . “Today, May 1 is more than ever about working together,” she said. “Because only by doing so can we make progress as an entire community.”

No longer discouraging work

Van Peel pointed to the unprecedented budgetary crisis the country is facing. “For decades, too many politicians have been spending money they didn’t have. And in the meantime, they’ve failed to carry out the necessary reforms. As if it was almost intentional to discourage work. We are finally going to turn that around. We all need to roll up our sleeves — precisely to ensure that those who fall ill or are temporarily out of work can be supported. To make sure that everyone can one day enjoy their retirement. But also because working and contributing to society gives meaning and can connect us all.”

Working together, not against each other

She does not deny that reforms can be painful. “The governments of Bart and Matthias have to make tough decisions. And I understand that some of these decisions may anger or worry people. It all should have been done much earlier. I share that frustration.”

Van Peel calls on the parties supporting the reforms to stay the course. “All the parties that today have the courage to support the necessary reforms alongside us deserve praise — not boos. Handing out money is so easy, but doing what needs to be done is much harder.”

She also sent a clear message to political and social partners: “I call on everyone to think together, constructively, about how we can better protect our social security system for our children and grandchildren. To move forward together, instead of being against everything by default or putting self-interest first through blackmail and endless actions.”

“Doing nothing is not an option”

The chairwoman concludes with a call for unity: “We must work together, or we risk losing what we all want to preserve. Doing nothing is not an option. It’s either working together, or it won’t succeed. That’s exactly why I wish everyone a happy May Day.”