Belgian companies that achieved good results in 2022 will be able to grant a purchasing power bonus to their workers from 1 June.
This was announced on Thursday by the Voucher Issuers Association, which represents issuers of materialised and dematerialised cheques.
The new measure, validated in March by the Council of Ministers, is intended to help workers in a difficult socio-economic context. It allows companies and sectors that have made significant profits to grant a bonus to their staff.
On Friday, the Council of Ministers gave the go-ahead for the introduction of the measure.
For the years 2023 and 2024, no salary increases beyond automatic indexation will be granted. On the other hand, companies that have made high profits will be able to grant a purchasing power bonus of up to €500 to their employees. Businesses that register exceptionally high profits can give up to €750.
The text can now be debated in the House.
Social Affairs Minister Frank Vandenbroucke welcomed the Council's decision.
“With Vooruit, we want people’s purchasing power to improve,” he said. “At the end of last year, the government therefore decided to allow sectors and companies that made high profits to grant their employees a purchasing power bonus – their second.”
“I am pleased that the Council of Ministers has approved this today and that it can now be submitted to Parliament, because hard work must pay off,” Vandenbroucke added.
