Collective bargaining in the Belgian public sector

Ondertitel:stuck on the road between tradition and innovation

Since the world (of work) is changing every day, (labour) law must be adapted on a regular basis. Failure to do so may lead to legislation that is stuck on the road between tradition and innovation. The regulation on collective bargaining in the Belgian public sector can serve as an example. This legislation is (still) based on the ideas, principles and administrative context that were characteristic of the time period of its drafting. For example, the system of collective labour relations in the public sector was (and is still) based on the principle of the one-sided statutory employment. Over the years, however, the public sector has changed considerably, with an increasing two-sided contractual employment as a result. The inevitable conclusion is that the expiration date of the current legislation has been exceeded. This contribution highlights the main consequences of the lack of the adaptation of the legislation on collective bargaining to the many changes that the Belgian public sector has faced. Inspiration for improvements will be obtained from the Netherlands, where on the first of January 2020 a law became applicable that innovates the Dutch system of collective bargaining in the public sector.

ISBN:978-1-5275-6027-7

Jaar van publicatie:2020

Trefwoorden:H3 Book chapter

Toegankelijkheid:Closed