The programme of checks on unemployed that came into force in the new millennium is each quarter doubling the number of people passing from unemployment to disability benefits, according to the conclusions of a study relayed by La Libre Belgique on Wednesday. Women, in particular, are more impacted. Three researchers from the ULB's department of applied economics (Dulbea) has been looking into the effect of the creation of a monitoring programme focused on job-seeking behaviour among the long-term unemployed. Between 2006 and 2013, only unemployed persons under 50 were subjected to this check. Dulbea compared the rate of entry into incapacity for work for two populations: one, aged between 46 and 49, subject to the check and the other, aged between 50 and 53, exempt.
The researchers observed that the checking programme is increasing claims for incapacity benefit by 115%.
The checking does not have a significant impact when an unemployed person is a man. If the person is a woman, the rate of claiming incapacity benefit increases by 191%, that is nearly three times more women switching to incapacity benefit following a check.
The researchers point out that the impact was still stronger (+243%) on unemployed women who are single.
The Brussels Times
Unemployment checks see more women declaring 'workplace incapacity'
