Landing jobs are intended for those who want to work half-time or four-fifths at the end of their career. As a ‘soft landing’ they receive a benefit until their retirement. The government plans to tighten that regime. Airstrips from 55 years old in particular would become exceptional.
The social partners have now signed a collective labor agreement or collective labor agreement within the National Labor Council. The runway from the age of 55 will also remain possible in the coming years for those who have a career of 35 years. The existing rules also continue to apply to heavy professions and companies in difficulty – where runways are available from 25 years old.
Well, entanglement
There will be a tightening of the general rules. Today, such an runway with benefits is possible from the age of 60 for those who have had a career of 25 years. The government will eventually increase this to 35 years of career by 2030. The collective labor agreement makes these career conditions less strict for women (30 years of career by 2030).
The collective labor agreement also makes the runways more accessible for those who work in shifts and for informal caregivers. Runways from 50 years to 54 years will be canceled. Today, some exception regimes still exist, so they will disappear. Unions and employers have also agreed to abolish conventional SWT or early retirement. This was also previously stated in the coalition agreement. Only early retirement for medical reasons will continue to exist.
The government honors the agreement reached by the social partners, the office of Minister of Labor David Clarinval confirms.
Every year, 10,000 people flow into the airstrip system. Last year, more than 55,000 people had an airstrip.
General satisfaction
The Federation of Belgian Enterprises (VBO) welcomes the agreement. The abolition of early retirement and the reform of the runways “meet essential budgetary requirements while confirming the central position of work”, according to the country’s largest employers’ organization, which calls for a balanced agreement. The disappearance of the conventional early retirement pension is already “historic”, according to employers.
There is also satisfaction among the unions. Runways are crucial to be able to sustain work longer, the ACV argues. “The over-fifties are a real sandwich generation. The combination of caring for grandchildren and their own parents often leads to additional care tasks. It is a top priority to keep their career workable,” says the Christian union, which is also satisfied that the careers of women, who more often work part-time, are taken into account.
The same with the socialist trade union. “These runways keep people on board, so they must remain accessible,” says general secretary Bert Engelaar. “The adjustments show the importance and power of social dialogue, even when the government puts pressure on it: we offer perspective taking into account the needs and realities on the ground.”
ACLVB is also positive. The collective labor agreement shows that consultation can still work. “After valuable social consultation, employers and employees found a compromise that was honored by the government. Despite difficult budgetary times, we were able to smooth out the rough edges thanks to social consultation in the NAR,” says the liberal union.
