Retirement continues to be the main cause for concern for independent workers. Two-thirds of such workers question the State’s capacity to guarantee its obligations, stated Union des classes moyennes (UCM) according to 800 independent workers.
UCM requests the creation of the second pension pillar for individual independent workers. This second pillar would specifically create equal conditions between independent workers who work on their own and those realizing activities through companies, and would harmonize social coverage between different personal situations.
In addition, the organization is in favour of “the instatement of a points-based pension system, the core of which is a transparent calculation method, providing reassurance and even-handedness, in order to respond to the concerns of independent workers and the general population.”
Regarding the worker incapacity system, UCM suggests reconsidering the non-coverage period. “Flexibility is what is needed most, a faster response time and one that does not force people to completely stop their activities,” stated the association.
Few independent workers (18.4%) know of the existence of social coverage in the event of bankruptcy or forced stoppage of activities. UCM seeks to make it easier for independent workers to get back on their feet following a failure. There is a lot of expectation regarding the extension of social coverage announced for January 1st, 2017. “There should be an informative campaign for putting a definitive end to the notions which exist that independent workers run the risk of suddenly finding themselves with no income.”
(Source: Belga)
