No less than 30,528 people currently work in the flexi-jobs regime. The majority of them are employed in the hotel and catering sector, but this year the system has been extended to retail. The Secretary of State for the Fight Against Tax Fraud, Philippe De Backer (Open Vld), announced on Thursday that since the extension has occurred 1,515 people have benefited from it.
Since 2015, it has been possible for workers, employed for four-fifths of the working week, to supplement their income with a flexi job within the hotel and catering sector. The system has been broadened this year to include the retail trade, such as butchers, bakers and general retail shops. In addition, from this year pensioners can also enjoy this employment status. Flexi-job workers do not have to pay income tax, and at the same time the employer pays lower social security contributions.
Current figures show that this year there are 30,528 people working in this regime, compared to 28,411 last year. The retail trade employs 1,515 workers, and in total 1,944 retired people work in a flexi job.
The Secretary of State explained, “Flexi jobs are ideal for taking people on very quickly during peak periods. Self-employed traders thus have support when they need it, and workers have a chance to obtain additional income through flexible working.” He went on, “These jobs supplement those already in existence.”
This type of status is likely to be further extended. Mr De Backer concluded, “Other sectors are themselves popular, and workers regularly approach us wanting to work in a flexi job within sectors where this is not yet possible. We must, from now on, continue to look into areas where the flexi-jobs regime will be feasible.”
The Brussels Times
