Axel Ronse: “N-VA wants to simplify holiday regulations”

The N-VA is introducing a bill to finally simplify Belgium’s complex rules around annual leave. “Right now, we’re one of the most complicated countries when it comes to holiday regulations. That needs to change,” says Axel Ronse, N-VA’s parliamentary group leader in the Chamber.

The proposed legislation, discussed today in the Social Affairs Committee, would allow employees to accrue statutory leave during the current year, rather than based on the previous year’s work, as is currently the case for both blue- and white-collar workers. “You should earn vacation while you work—not retroactively,” Ronse explains.

Needlessly complicated

In most EU member states, the system is simple: you work and build up leave in the same year. In Belgium, however, it’s far more complicated. The amount of leave a worker receives depends on how much they worked the year before. European authorities have repeatedly criticized Belgium for this outdated system. “If you change jobs or are just starting out, you don’t automatically have the right to paid leave. That’s unnecessary—and we’re putting a stop to it.”

Good news for young people and job switchers

Young people and those changing jobs are hit hardest by the current bureaucracy. Since young people haven’t worked the previous year, they’re not entitled to paid leave. They have to rely on temporary schemes like ‘youth holidays,’ which provide benefits lower than their normal salary.

“Why make it complicated when it can be simple? Young people deserve real holidays from day one—just like elsewhere in Europe,” Ronse argues.

Cutting red tape

Another benefit: holiday pay would now be paid directly by employers, making the process easier for everyone. The National Office for Annual Holidays, holiday funds, and special schemes like supplementary leave, youth holidays, and senior holidays would become obsolete. This reform also results in cost savings for the government.

“We’re cutting red tape and saving money—without touching anyone’s right to paid annual leave,” Ronse concludes.