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Early retirees living abroad must move back to Belgium
The Belgian government wants early retirees who live abroad to move back to Belgium and become available to re-enter the workforce, even those over the age of 60.
The new government under prime minister Charles Michel will require all Belgians with an unemployment benefit, including the benefit for early retirees, to remain available for the labour market until the age of 65.
According to a draft note by employment minister Kris Peeters (CD&V), De Standaard reported, the new scheme also applies to all early retirees who are currently exempt from the obligation to keep searching for a job.
The government allows for no exceptions, not even for early retirees who no longer reside in the country. The new scheme requires them to return to Belgium by 1 July, 2015, or risk losing their benefits.
“This is pure bullying,” according to Marc Leemans, ACV union chairman. “It is mind-boggling that the government wants to make people come back for jobs that are not there."
Unizo, the largest employers' organisation in Belgium, responded with caution: "If the unions want exceptions for those over 60, they must explain why,” said director Karel Van Eetvelt, "but preferably within the framework of a social dialogue, not all over the media.”
Comments
I love the way the union cries foul because the jobs are not there. One of the main reasons for the unemployment and job shortage is of course, the Union.
Along similar lines but from a different angle....a friend of mine has a Belgian brother-in-law aged 53 who has worked all his life as an accountant. He was made redundant a couple of years ago, at that time he visited the job centre hoping for, well, yes a job. Those working there advised him not to bother looking for another job and take it easy because he had already worked so much of his life! So basically those who were supposed to encourage him to find a job and help in the search, told him not to bother, He's done sweet FA ever since.
That's standard for Belgium. It's considered that XX number of years worked means you stay unemployed/retired if you lose your job after 50 because you did enough, and most importantly, it's time to let a younger person have a go.
It's deeply flawed and a disaster for the country, but try discussing this with the locals and you will see what any government is up against. They love to be pensioned and the sooner the better.
@Mikek1 -- Once again, Mikek, you seem to know it all whilst hovering far above the low-life of this country. As to what "they" love to do: speak for yourself or put a sock in it for once? In other words: have a bit of respect, even if it doesn't appear to be your forte?...