Brussels – Outgoing Minister of Pensions Jan Jambon (N-VA) sparked a political and social outcry this week with remarks suggesting women should “adjust” to the recent pension reforms, a statement widely interpreted as a call for increased female participation in the workforce. The comments, made in a recent interview, came the day after International Women’s Day, further fueling criticism.
The pension reforms, approved in second reading by the federal government and outlined in a recent ministerial decree, aim to strengthen the link between contributions and benefits, effectively incentivizing longer working lives. Jambon has repeatedly stated the reforms are necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the pension system, citing a declining ratio of workers to pensioners – a figure that has fallen from 4:1 in the 1990s to 3:1 currently, with projections of 2:1 by 2060. According to Jambon, the reforms will halve the projected increase in overall pension costs and reduce the extra pension bill by almost 60 percent.
However, the suggestion that women specifically need to “adjust” has drawn sharp condemnation from opposition parties and women’s rights advocates. Historian Noëmi Willemen, who researches the history of motherhood, described Jambon’s statement as “world-blind” and out of touch with the realities faced by women. “He seems blind to the reality in which people live,” Willemen stated in an interview with DeKrantenkoppen.be. She argued that the expectation of behavioral change from women is unrealistic without substantial improvements in childcare provision, eldercare support and work-life balance initiatives.
The controversy also extends within the governing coalition, with reports of “irritation” over Jambon’s remarks, according to De Standaard. Critics point to the fact that women already disproportionately shoulder unpaid care responsibilities, leading to higher rates of part-time employment – 37.3 percent of women work part-time compared to 10.6 percent of men. The Council of State previously warned of the potential for indirect discrimination against women due to the recent pension rules.
Willemen echoed this sentiment, stating that expecting women to simply work more ignores the existing imbalance in unpaid labor. “Such a behavioral change is possible if the government ensures childcare, better residential care, a better work-life balance, but since there is no indication that they want to make it easier for people who also have to provide care, I think you can put that in the dream box,” she said, as reported by VRT.
The government maintains the reforms are equitable and necessary. In a statement released through his official website, Jambon asserted the changes are “logical, fair and social” and will safeguard pensions for future generations. He acknowledged the reforms may impact individuals’ expectations regarding their future pensions but defended them as essential for fiscal responsibility.
As of Tuesday, March 10, 2026, the pension reforms are slated for a final vote. The debate surrounding Jambon’s comments and the broader implications of the reforms for gender equality continues, with no immediate indication of a shift in the government’s position.
