Plan to make sick notes compulsory again from first day of absence

Negotiators for the future federal government are proposing the elimination of a measure adopted by the previous government that allowed workers in large companies - those with more than 50 employees - to take a single sick day without producing a doctor’s note.

The measure is limited to a maximum of three days' absence per year, RTBF reports, though health minister Frank Vandenbroucke wanted to extend it to three days, three times a year.

While the measure’s aim was to reduce the burden on GPs, employers sharply criticised it, pointing to a Securex study that showed that in companies where a doctor’s note is not needed for one day of sick leave, the number of one-day absences soared by 44%.

“Those who are really ill deserve all the support they can get, but not those who want to recover from ‘excesses’ or just benefit from a few days’ rest under the pretext of illness – that opens the door to all kinds of abuse,” the SNI trade union said.

The major reforms the future coalition plans to bring to the table include a "comprehensive plan for the prevention and reintegration of the long-term sick", and greater responsibility for the various players – namely, workers.

Bart De Wever has less than two weeks to bring a new coalition to a conclusion and form a new federal government, but negotiations remain at a standstill.

The King of Belgium will break with tradition for his New Year's address to the country's authorities, which has been postponed until 4 February in the hopes that after more than 200 days of little progress, a government will finally be in place by then.

Part of what is stalling the negotiations are disagreements surrounding additional powers for the regions and communities. The French-speaking parties remain reluctant on the matter, with no majority in parliament for a major reform of the state, but N-VA is hoping to make progress in this area.

Other obstacles include De Wever’s socio-economic "super-note", particularly its stance on labour reform, pension reform and tax reform.