Unions and employers do not agree on rise wages, Minister of Work Clarinval has to adhere

Zero percent. According to the report of the Central Council for Business, there is so much margin to increase wages in the next two years on top of automatic indexation. It would always be extremely difficult until flatly impossible to reach an agreement between unions and employees on the basis of that report. The social partners have now officially started to tell Minister of Work David Clarinval (MR). It is now starting a mediation round, as provided for in the legislation.

Clarinval is planning to discreetly test some proposals to the social partners in the coming weeks. At his cabinet they speak of a « constructive first meeting ». Unions and employers agree. « Every party could share his grievances and concerns. A second interview will follow, » it says.

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The ABVV wants a recalculation of the wage margin. « The situation has been changed: a gift of 1 billion euros in contribution reductions and a lot less inflation than expected. We believe that there is room for a limited margin. » 0.2 percent in particular, according to their own calculations. « Of course not much, but better than nothing. I prefer to negotiate something than nothing, » says CEO Bert Engelaar. The unions have been charging for years against the expanded wage law, which, according to them, is full of « tamper software » and makes free wage negotiations impossible.

But for the employer’s side, that strict wage standard is of vital importance. They point to a deteriorated competitive position towards abroad and an uncertain economic situation, with Trump’s import rates and everything that follows.

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The intention is that Clarinval now comes up with its own proposal. Then the social partners get a month to give their opinion. If it doesn’t work, the wage file will be on the government table.