Saint-Josse scraps four-day week for employees nearing retirement

The Brussels municipality of Saint-Josse is scrapping its four-day work week scheme - without loss of pay - for municipal staff aged 55 or over.

Mayor Emir Kir introduced the measure in January 2020 to ease the transition into retirement for municipal employees, but the municipality’s financial situation has since deteriorated to the point where it is now under regional financial supervision.

Kir announced to trade unions last week that the end-of-career scheme will be phased out by 2029-2030, saying “we have no choice”.

“Given the age pyramid, as things stand, we will not be able to cope with the large number of retirements,” Kir said.

“However, being under regional supervision prevents us from recruiting new staff to compensate for the expected departures.”

The local authorities have devised a phased end to the scheme, with an interim phase running until 2030.

In the interim, the staff concerned would return to full-time work but would receive, as partial compensation, the equivalent of 20 extra days of leave per year.

Staff representatives said they were surprised by the decision.

“In November and December, we were promised that the reduced working hours would be maintained for those aged 55 and over who already benefit from them,” said Maxime Nys of the CGSP union, condemning a recent series of cost-cutting measures at the expense of workers.

“The mayor is now going back on that promise. It’s very strange. There are too many staff today. How can we suddenly find ourselves understaffed by 2030? It doesn’t add up.”

The mayor will be questioned on the matter by the socialist opposition at an upcoming municipal council meeting.