Unions and employers are committed to reaching an agreement on night shifts and other e-commerce related issues before the end of 2015, it was revealed following a new round table on e-commerce organised by Employment Minister Kris Peeters on Wednesday. The government decided to allow night shifts in the online retail sector in order to catch up with neighbouring countries, earlier this year. “Social partners are calling for that move to be delayed until the end of the year. They therefore have until the end of 2015 to find ways to improve the situation of e-commerce in Belgium. Today they committed to finding answers quickly,” commented Kris Peeters.
The minister, meanwhile, will respect the request by social partners, and will not take legal measures, even if some necessary steps will be taken, such as the preparation of royal decrees, for example. This will help accelerate the process once an agreement is reached between employers and unions. The aim is to implement necessary measures to introduce night shifts in the online retail sector from January 1st, 2016.
Approximately 400,000 workers were represented at the round table. Unions are asking for a clear definition of night shifts and working conditions. The federation of retail and services employers, Comeos, is requesting a quick solution “because jobs are moving abroad.”
(Source: Belga)
