Army unions furious after conversation with Defense Minister Theo Francken about retirement age: « He shows no shred of respect »
The government is going to raise the retirement age of soldiers from 56 to 67 years. A measure that shakes the Belgian army to its foundations, the defense cafe itself is also very critical about the impact of the measure. The army unions therefore expected that Defense minister Theo Francken (N-VA) would come up with an extensive package of accompanying measures to make the decision digestible.
But at the first important consultation about this, Tuesday, the trade unions soon left the negotiating table. « What we were told defies any form of respect for the military profession, » said the army unions in a joint press release. « Francken does not show a shred of respect. »
Empty box
« The only thing we saw on Tuesday was an empty box, » says VSOA representative Chris Huybrechts. « And a minister who sighed several times because he » was not sold within the government. «
The trade unions demand, among other things, that the employment conditions of a military « are more or less tailored to those of a police officer ». « In contrast to an agent, a soldier works completely unpaid for many hours. But even a small fee for those unpaid hours was unaffordable, » said Huybrechts. According to the trade unions, the evidence « that soldiers are considered by the government as second -class citizens ».
« We were shown a minister who sighed several times because he was » not sold within the government « » «
Chris Huybrechts
VSOA representative
They therefore regard the way in which the conversation went as a « declaration of war ». And also take care of the Defense Chief: « As an employer, he has to stand up for his soldiers, but does not seriously take that responsibility. »
Demonstration
If a second interview is in the same way at the end of next week, the military trade unions will consider actions, in the form of, for example, demonstrations. « Soldiers cannot strike, but argue on a day off, » said Yves Huwart, chairman of the Military Trade Union ACMP. He fears « the empty box that was presented on Tuesday » that many young soldiers will look forward to another job.
The Defense Safe has also pointed to the important challenges of a higher retirement age for soldiers in various reports. Letting older soldiers work longer, according to the Defense Safe, is not only very expensive – in terms of wages. The rejuvenation of the army is also compromised. Just like the preparedness: older soldiers are more difficult to be used for, for example, foreign assignments.
Francken himself responds on Tuesday afternoon surprised at the response of the trade unions. « In my experience it was a tough conversation that was completed courteously and correctly and where the necessary agreements were made about the further course of social consultation, » said the minister.
« My goal remains to reimburse the operational deployment of our soldiers Fair and to make the pension reforms gradually. That is not a simple exercise, and friction is inevitable, » the minister said. Who says « the concerns of the soldiers understands and will never lose sight of their interests and their efforts. »
