Over 49,000 Belgians over the age of 55 will lose their unemployment benefits in January because they have not accumulated at least 30 years of work experience.
Of these individuals, six in ten have been out of work for more than five years. One in three has been receiving unemployment benefits for over a decade.
Out of these long-term claimants, 4,354 people, or approximately one in twelve, have been on benefits for more than 20 years, according to figures released by Employment Minister David Clarinval (MR) and reported by Het Laatste Nieuws on Tuesday.
Conversely, 10,586 job seekers over the age of 55 have at least 30 years of work history and will maintain their benefits. In Brussels, 6.4% of job seekers over 55 meet this criterion, compared to 18.3% in Wallonia and 23.5% in Flanders.
The time limit on unemployment benefits will, therefore, disproportionately affect Brussels and Wallonia, where there is a higher proportion of job seekers.
The minister’s figures also reveal that in Brussels, 43.5% of job seekers over 55 have been unemployed for more than ten years.
Additionally, in Brussels and Wallonia, one in eight and one in ten job seekers over 55, respectively, have been receiving benefits for over 20 years.
