Browse through brief employment and labor law updates from around the globe. Contact a Littler attorney for more information or view our global locations.

View all Q4 2021 Global Guide Quarterly updates   Download full Q4 2021 Global Guide Quarterly

New Economic Migration Policy for Foreign Self-Employed Persons in Flanders

New Legislation Enacted

Authors: Edward Carlier, Partner, and Arnout Roosen, Associate – Reliance | Littler

The Flemish Decree of October 15, 2021, which becomes effective on January 1, 2022, provides a new economic migration policy for foreign self-employed persons with a professional activity in the Flemish Region. The intention of the new law is to attract talented and innovative foreign self-employed persons to the Flemish Region by means of, among other things, clear admission conditions for obtaining a professional card, a simplified (digital) application procedure and strict enforcement and control measures.

New Mobility Taxation

New Legislation Enacted

Authors: Edward Carlier, Partner, and Arnout Roosen, Associate – Reliance | Littler

The law of November 25, 2021, which became effective on January 1, 2022, seeks to make the company car fleet in Belgium greener. Under this new law, in order for employers (and employees) to benefit from the favorable tax and social security treatment of company cars, the new company car fleet must be carbon emission free as of 2026. In addition, employees who exchange their company car for a budget will have a wider range of spending options (e.g., the budget can also be used for costs related to electric scooters, parking costs related to the use of public transport or bicycle loans).

COVID-19 - Extension of CBA No. 149 Concerning Compulsory or Recommended Telework

New Legislation Enacted

Authors: Edward Carlier, Partner, and Arnout Roosen, Associate – Reliance | Littler

The new CBA no. 149/2 of December 7, 2021, extends the validity of the original CBA no. 149 concerning compulsory or recommended telework due to the COVID-19 crisis (which was valid until December 31, 2021) by three months (i.e., until March 31, 2022). Like the previous one, this CBA, which covers the status of teleworkers and their wellbeing at work, only applies to companies who did not develop a telework scheme by January 1, 2021.

Extension of the Simplified “COVID-19 Temporary Unemployment” Regime

New Regulation or Official Guidance

Authors: Edward Carlier, Partner, and Arnout Roosen, Associate – Reliance | Littler

On December 10, 2021, the Belgian Government extended the more flexible regime of “COVID-19 Temporary Unemployment,” which significantly simplifies the procedure for employers to apply for temporary unemployment for employees. The regime was extended until March 31, 2022.