Socialist trade union federation FGTB is calling for a revised calculation of the wage standard, its Secretary General, Bert Engelaar, said on Wednesday at a meeting of the Group of Ten, which includes union and employer representatives, and Employment Minister David Clarinval.
The focus of the meeting was on the interprofessional agreement (IPA) and wage standards determined by the Central Economic Council (CEC), comparing wage increases in neighbouring countries and Belgium’s major trading partners.
Both the FGTB and the Christian trade union federation, ACV/CSC, believe there is still room for wage increases above automatic indexation.
The CEC had stated in February that the wage margin for 2025 and 2026 would be non-existent, limiting wage increases to automatic indexation alone.
In response, the FGTB, CGSLB, and CSC proposed revising the wage law, arguing that the CEC had overlooked factors that reduce employers’ wage costs.
Engelaar pointed to changes since February, citing the drop in inflation expected by the Federal Planning Bureau, which suggests lower indexations in 2025. He also noted that the government agreement allows businesses to seek roughly €1 billion in tax reductions by 2026.
The FGTB head argued that a new calculation of the wage standard is warranted due to changes between the initial calculation and IPA negotiations. “We are asking for a new calculation,” he said.
His federation believes this could allow for a wage increase of about 0.2%. “While it may not be much, it’s better than nothing. I prefer negotiating something rather than nothing,” Engelaar added.
The ACV reiterated its desire for free and fair sectoral wage negotiations. “The wage standard law, laden with deceptive software, which again imposes a zero standard, makes this impossible,” the Christian federation said.
It argues that wage subsidies, accounting for 5.1% of payroll, and reductions in employer costs are ignored, distorting comparisons with neighbouring countries.
The International Labour Organisation has reprimanded Belgium on this issue, leading the union to call for amendments to the wage standards law.
The Christian federation maintains that there is significant potential for wage increases if deceptive calculations are disregarded.
