Changes to regulations governing student jobs

The federal government has approved changes to work policies concerning job-students. From next January, students will be allowed to work a maximum of 475 hours a year while retaining their student status for social security. The current law allows them to work for 50 days.

The change has been under discussion for some time, with employers calling for more flexibility to allow them to put students to work when they are needed. Only 3.5% of students ever complete their quota of 50 full days. A full day is considered at least two hours worked. Students will now be able to get the maximum benefit from the new quota.

The trend in many work situations now is for flexible hours. A restaurant might draft in students for service at mealtimes only, for instance, or a bar might bring in extra staff when the weather is fine but send people home when the rain hampers the use of a terrace. The new rules also allow for overtime, which is not allowed at present, except in food service.

Working students pay only 2.7% of their pay for social security, compared to 13.1% paid by other workers. The employer’s contribution for students is 5.4%, compared to 30-35% for full-time workers.

“Job creation and support for employment are at the centre of this government’s programme,” said prime minister Charles Michel. “I am delighted that the government is able to offer this flexibility and freedom to students and businesses. The new system will make the employment of job students even easier.”

Photo: milo-profi.be/VisitFlanders