On Monday evening, the police section of the Free Union of Public Function (SLFP) and the National Union of police and security personnel (SNPS) said the Police pension negotiations regarding a temporary end of career regime will continue. This was after a meeting between them and the Home Affairs Minister Jan Jambon (New Flemish Alliance). The biggest stumbling block is the recognition as a “heavy profession” and the practical consequences of that status. “The Minister is committed to us getting the recognition, but he can’t yet fix a retirement age relative to it. We hope that it will be possible to make it 58”, says Vincent Gilles, president of the SLFP Police.
“There is nothing on paper yet, and Mr Jambon has been hesitant to do so”, he added, while saying there had been important agreements during these negotiations. However, these are not on the essential points, and other propositions have been refused.
Fabrice Discry, SNPS provincial president for Liège, said the meeting was “constructive”, and hopes that the negotiations can continue soon. “The whole operation could benefit from the heavy profession status, the Minister said. But the age still needs to be negotiated”, he adds.
“The discussion is very technical, but advancing. And the atmosphere is less tense”, says Vincent Gilles.
No date has yet been fixed for another meeting between the Minister and the Unions, who have to check with their co-workers.
(Source: Belga)
