Final legal attempt to stop cuts to long-term unemployment benefits

Belgium’s Constitutional Court has refused to suspend planned cuts to long-term unemployment benefits, dismissing a major legal challenge before the reform takes effect - but unions say they are planning one last push to pursue full annulment of the changes in coming months.

The Bart De Wever government’s reform, part of wider efforts to overhaul the social security system, reduces certain benefits for people unemployed long-term, with the stated aim of encouraging labour market reintegration. Opponents argue the measures disproportionately affect vulnerable groups.

Francophone socialist party PS said in a statement: “This reform will cause enormous and irreversible damage to hundreds of thousands of people.”

Trade unions and other organisations brought their case to Belgium’s court, seeking an immediate suspension of the reform on the grounds that it could violate constitutional protections. However, the court ruled that it would not interrupt implementation while the broader legal review continues. .

The court’s decision means the government can proceed with implementing the changes, even as the full review remains ongoing.

Supporters of the reform say it will help reduce dependency on benefits and incentivise job seeking, but many warn it could push large numbers of people into poverty.