Employees quitting their jobs may soon be allowed to retain their mobile phone numbers if they had them before taking up their posts, according to a decision by the Social Affairs Commission.
A proposal to that effect was put forth by Green Party legislator Stefaan Van Hecke.
It is common for workers to use their own mobile phone numbers when setting up their subscription with an employer. However, some firms prohibit staff from retaining such numbers upon leaving.
Some even include a clause in contracts forcing the employee to relinquish the right to use the number involved. The proposed bill seeks to grant an individual who had such a number prior to joining the company, the right to retain it upon leaving the company.
Commenting on the significance of retaining a number, Van Hecke noted: “When one considers everything that implementing a new number involves, it’s clear this number is no longer just for making few calls here and there.”
Phone numbers today serve as identification tools, for instance for banking institutions via their apps, or for administration using Itsme. “One does not just change their phone number. The process has a far greater impact than before,” he adds.
This proposal received the approval of the Social Affairs Commission on Tuesday. A full parliamentary vote is expected soon.
