The introduction of flexi-jobs in the bus and coach sector has serious consequences for regular employment and social security, the UBT-FGTB trade union federation said on Wednesday.
In this sector, no fewer than one in four hours are worked as flexi-jobs - jobs done by persons from other sectors or by pensioners.
"Regular employment (-25%) and social security (-10%) are the two big losers after a year of flexi-jobs in the bus and coach sector," according to the Socialist trade union. "One out of every four hours worked can be attributed to a flexi-jobber, resulting in a 10% drop in social security contributions."
In the bus and coach sector, drivers choose to work 4/5ths of the time and supplement their income with a flexi-job.
"The rapid increase in the number of flexi-jobs is creating a semblance of employment and integration, but the figures prove otherwise, " Tom Peeters, Deputy Federal Secretary for Road Transport & Logistics, explains.
"Although the number of hours worked is increasing in the bus and coach sector, we are seeing a drop of at least 20% in regular employment, particularly among HGV drivers. What's more, 25% of bus and coach services are currently provided by flexi-jobbers," he adds.
"Given the current budget crisis in our country, it is irresponsible to introduce flexi-jobs in all sectors," UBT-FGTB President Frank Moreels stresses. "In fact, we should be doing the opposite: focusing on regular employment, because that is the way to generate additional income and create jobs."
According to the UBT-FGTB, contributions paid in to the National Social Security Office have fallen by €7.5 million this year, following the introduction of flexi-jobs on 1 January.
