Job students to be allowed to work more hours

The federal minister for social affairs has proposed allowing students to work more flexible and longer hours. At present, students are permitted to work 50 days in the year, with a maximum of 40 hours a week in most cases, to be eligible for the lower student rate of social security charges.

Last year 469,000 students in Belgium took advantage of the scheme. Under Maggie De Block’s proposal, days would be converted into hours, with a maximum for the year of 550, compared to 400 at present. The number of hours could then be split up as the employer required.

Currently, if low demand means a student employee is sent home, they are considered to have used up a whole day; under the new system only the actual hours worked would count.

The system has the support of the employers’ organisation Unizo. According to a survey carried out by Unizo, three employees out of four use student labour, particularly to cover periods of peak demand. One in five also uses student employment as a channel for permanent jobs.

The Flemish student association VVS has expressed support for De Block’s plans, but trade union ACV is against. The average student only works 22 days, with 65% working 25 days or fewer. In 2014, only 1.2% of working students exceeded the 50-day limit. “This will only increase the downward pressure on pay,” one representative said.

Photo: Ingimage