The last Council of Ministers of the year usually allows to put the finishing touches to files that have sometimes been under negotiation for months.
This year, the federal government is not finished yet, since it still has to negotiate the extension of two reactors nuclear with Engie to be completed before the New Year.
In any case, a whole series of measures or agreements have been concluded: this goes from reimbursement for cystic fibrosis medication to bodycams for police officers, to the registration of gender on the identity card, among other things.
As expected, the federal government has finalized two major files: the SNCB/Infrabel management contract and the wage agreement.
Wage policy
A month ago, the federal government agreed on certain salary increases and the distribution of the welfare envelope.
Employers and unions have expressed their reservations about this agreement. The workers demonstrated. Never mind, the federal government ratifies the decisions taken.
The green light is thus given to the social partners to begin negotiations in the sectors of activity to negotiate bonuses to be granted to workers.
The government sets conditions:
- In companies that have suffered losses, no bonus will be requested.
- In companies that have made a profit, a maximum bonus of 500 euros can be fixed.
- In companies with windfall profits, a bonus of between 500 and 750 euros can be fixed.
“To offer nothing to workers in companies that have worked so well that large dividends have been paid to shareholders would be unfair. That is why we wanted to give the social partners some leeway”, explains Deputy Prime Minister Pierre-Yves Dermagne (PS).
The distribution of the well-being envelope (1 billion) will make it possible to financially support pensioners, people with disabilities, and all recipients of allowances and social assistance. Minimum wages will be raised.
Rail
The management contracts for SNCB and Infrabel have been approved for the next ten years. The two public railway companies had been waiting for this since… 2012! Lhe SNCB is aiming for 10% more trains and 30% more passengers by 2032. Still according to the plans, half of the rolling stock would be renewed.
From now on, Belgian rail has 10-year objectives, with a budget of 43.803 billion and a real industrial plan, which will enable concrete progress to be made year after year. Ambition: more trains, more punctual, more comfortable and at cheaper prices!
All this delights the Deputy Prime Minister (ECOLO) Georges Gilkinet: “There will clearly be a before and after 2022 for rail and for our mobility in Belgium. Never has the rail sector received so many resources and such clear and ambitious objectives from a government in Belgium! Because more passengers and goods on the rails means fewer cars and trucks on our roads.”
It now remains to sustain these investments, which seem insufficient in particular for the trade unions and directions.
In a statement, the union common front of the railways “would like to remind management once again that massive recruitment must be the absolute priority in the months to come. Without additional staff, it is not realistic to hope to offer a quality service.” Discussions should begin soon between staff representatives and management.