« Queen’s piece » Government Government is in danger of being delayed
Werkminister David Clarinval (MR) is tinkering with a solution for limiting unemployment benefits. – © Belga
The limitation of unemployment benefits up to two years may be delayed. Since the administrations went to the alarm, Minister David Clarinval (MR) is tinkering with a solution.
The reform must be done as « smoothly », says Minister of Work, David Clarinval (MR). And just there the shoe pinches. The RVA, the VDAB, the Council of State and the OCMWs: they all warn that unemployment benefits are limiting all over the line to two years from January 1, practically difficult or even impossible. Then 113,000 long -term unemployed would all lose their benefits at the same time, and that is a huge operation. Certainly because in the meantime a few exceptions in the texts have crept. So Clarinval tinkers with a few scenarios to adjust a sleeve, for which he wants to get green light from the core this week.
Read too. Are the OCMWs ready for the reform? The limitation of unemployment benefits over time
Broadly speaking, the implementation of the law could be postponed, or it can be introduced in phases. First people who have been unemployed for more than ten years would lose their benefits, a few months later who will be unemployed for more than five years, and so on.
« Stop rotten »
It is a nasty matter for the De Wever government. Prime Minister Bart De Wever (N-VA) himself has called the limitation of unemployment benefits the « queen piece » of his government. For years, the (center) right -wing parties for such a restriction, as it exists in the rest of Europe. And the reform must also do the heavy work financially to « stop rotten ». By 2029, the procedure « dry » must already raise around 2 billion euros. And it is important for the 7.9 billion euros in return effects on which the government charges by the end of the legislature, thanks to a employment rate of 80 percent.
In four years it will all be fine, they shout within the government. But also for the budget of 2026, the measure must already pay 900 million euros. If you start phasing or postponing, you risk not getting that together. Especially at N-VA and CD&V they are wary of that. At Clarinval they trust that they can bring that exercise to a successful conclusion.
