According to the National Bank, profits remain impressive and, despite a recent slight decline, are still above the long-term average and higher than in neighbouring countries. The profit rate is 42.2%. According to the union confederation ABVV, it is equally important that the expected wage cost handicap is smaller than expected. Since 1996, the difference in wage cost increases between Belgium and its neighbouring countries has caused discussion. Indexation ensured that purchasing power was safeguarded. By the end of 2024, the wage cost handicap will be 1.7%, three times lower than the 5% previously predicted by CRB (the Central Council for Business). Therefore, ABVV is firmly convinced that the 1996 Wage Norm Act must be thoroughly reformed to allow for higher pay rises.
Read on: in Dutch…
For more information, please contact Paul de Beer or Oana Ciuca, De Burcht (Scientific Bureau for the Dutch Trade Union Movement) p.t.debeer@uva.nl or the Head of communications at the ETUI, Mehmet Koksal mkoksal@etui.org. For previous full issues of the Collective bargaining newsletter please visit https://www.etui.org/Newsletters/Collective-bargaining-newsletter or consult the archive with all articles in our database at www.cbnarchive.eu.
You may find further information on the ETUI at www.etui.org.