Flemish Prime Minister Jan Jambon (N-VA) asks the federal government to urgently work on an asymmetric labor market policy, so that Flanders can map out its own measures. “The federal government must step in here. That is crucial for our prosperity.”
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Jambon made its appearance at Voka Rentrée, the classic kick-off of the politico-economic year of the entrepreneurial organisation. Voka is concerned, among other things, about the labor shortage in Flanders, as a result of which vacancies are barely filled. According to chairman Wouter De Geest That is now a greater concern for entrepreneurs than the corona pandemic. De Geest therefore pleaded for an asymmetric labor market policy, so that Flanders can lay its own accents.
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A plea that Flemish Prime Minister Jan Jambon is happy to support. “I ask that the federal government work as quickly as possible on an asymmetric exercise of powers regarding labor market policy. In this way, federal policy can be adapted to the reality in Flanders,” said a Brussels Bozar full of entrepreneurs and politicians.
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bite the bullet
Jambon thus comes to the aid of his Deputy Prime Minister Hilde Crevits (CD&V). In a letter last summer, she asked her fellow federal Minister of Work Pierre-Yves Dermagne (PS) to urgently work on an asymmetric labor market policy. “I have every confidence that Minister Crevits will continue to work on this dossier,” Jambon said. “She is asking that asymmetrical policy of the federal government, and she will continue to do so. The federal government must step in here. That is crucial for our prosperity.” In the longer term – from 2024 – the entire labor market policy for Jambon must come into Flemish hands. “So that we can finally push through with the necessary reforms that are not possible at the federal level.”
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The federal coalition agreement opens up for “structural consultation with the federated states in order to arrive at the necessary measures in a spirit of cooperative federalism that can flank and support the labor market policies of the federated states”, and also states that the government is investigating “how subregional measures can be implemented”. carried out”, but then “with respect for everyone’s competences”.
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Minister Dermagne is organizing an employment conference on Tuesday and Wednesday, a first major appointment towards a reform of the labor market. A round table meeting with the regional ministers of work, including Crevits, is also on the agenda tomorrow.
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Job bonus
According to Jambon, the job bonus – which would be introduced this year – can only be lost if the Flemish coalition partners reach an agreement. “Pacta sunt servanda. That is in the coalition agreement, so you can only remove it if there is consensus about it,” it sounds.
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The Flemish coalition partners agreed in their coalition agreement to introduce a job bonus in 2021. This is aimed at people with a lower income, who would receive a monthly tax benefit.
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But the Flemish government has doubts about this measure, ‘De Tijd’ reported earlier. The measure could possibly be scrapped during the next budget adjustment.
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“Structural deficiency”
N-VA chairman Bart De Wever expressed the doubt during the debate with the five other Flemish party chairmen. “Flanders has a structural shortage. I personally believe that an effort of EUR 2 billion is needed by the end of the legislature. I don’t know whether all incentives are still as relevant in the labor market as we see them now.”
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De Wever did not want to say that N-VA wants to cancel the job bonus anyway. “Everything is negotiable for me, but you do that in mutual consultation.”
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Voka chairman Wouter De Geest emphasized in his speech that the employers’ organization would rather see the job bonus introduced today than tomorrow. “The Flemish coalition agreement is crystal clear,” he emphasized. “Introducing a job bonus does indeed come with a price. But entrepreneurs know: smart investments are not a cost, but a guarantee of future success.”
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Also read: Voka chairman breaks down Lalieux pension proposal: “Frustrating, such an unfinished piece of work”
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