The unions and the Auxiliary Fund for Unemployment Benefits (Hulpkas) were unable to pay just under 400,000 unemployment benefit applications on time, according to figures from Employment Minister David Clarinval (MR).
Last year, there were 391,435 late applications. The majority were applications to the General Labour Federation of Belgium (FGTB/ABVV) and the General Christian Trade Union Federation (CSC/ACV), 151,027 and 137,004, respectively.
The figures were provided by Clarinval after being requested by N-VA parliamentary group leader Axel Ronse, Het Nieuwsblad reports.
Because the Auxiliary Fund for Unemployment Benefits – a government agency co-managed by the unions – is much smaller (78,474) than the unions, accounting for approximately 10% of benefits, it faces the largest backlog in percentage terms.
Due to the late filing of applications, a growing number of unemployed people are turning to the Public Centres for Social Welfare (CPAS) for an advance payment.
There should be a maximum of three months between an unemployed person's application for benefits and their actual payment. According to the CSC/ACV – which, like the FGTB/ABVV, General Confederation of Liberal Trade Unions of Belgium (ACLVB/CGSLB), pays benefits through the National Employment Office (RVA) – this process runs smoothly in 90% of cases.
Yet, for years, tens of thousands of applications have not been processed on time because unemployed people's applications are incomplete or simply not completed in time. One of the four institutions then requests an extension of the processing time from the RVA.
According to Ronse, this causes people to experience unnecessary financial difficulties. The N-VA has long argued that unions should stop paying unemployment benefits.
