The Belgian Chamber of Representatives on Thursday approved a bill to enhance the working conditions of postal parcel couriers, introduced by Deputy Prime Minister Petra De Sutter (Groen).
The bill caps an 18-month-long effort that included multiple hearings in the Chamber following revelations regarding the tough working conditions couriers face as well as underage labour.
It was reviewed on three occasions by the Council of Ministers.
The approved document stipulates a maximum driving time of nine hours per day, allowing for two extensions to 10 hours per week. It also sets out total driving times of 56 hours a week and 90 hours over two consecutive weeks, and establishes a minimum wage.
Moreover, the legislation mandates all postal service providers to notify the Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications (IBPT) before beginning to operate, and to submit a series of data to the IBPT every six months.
The ruling majority voted in favour of the bill while the opposition voted against it. Les Engagés abstained.
The Belgian workers party, PTB, and Les Engagés criticised the bill, saying that it was not in line with trade unions’ recommendations.
Ms. De Sutter responded by asserting that her bill was scientifically validated, based on studies from the University of Antwerp and the IBPT.
She added that trade unions were indeed consulted, but noted that there was fragmentation within the sector.
