Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.
Factsheet for measure BE-2020-11/849 – measures in Belgium
Country |
Belgium
, applies regionally
|
Time period | Open ended, started on 13 March 2020 |
Context | COVID-19 |
Type | Legislations or other statutory regulations |
Category |
Measures to prevent social hardship
– Keeping or obtaining a safe home |
Author | Dries Van Herreweghe (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven) and Eurofound |
Measure added | 14 May 2020 (updated 09 August 2021) |
The different regions have taken measures to reduce the impact of loss of income for households that are in a precarious situations. This is particularly relevant given the fact that a large proportion of people is currently temporarily unemployed and receives benefits that are lower than their regular income.
In reasoning behind these measures is that people in the most precarious situations are able to maintain basic necessities like water and electricity and/or gas.
Flanders: The water, gas and electricity bills of households with family members who become temporarily unemployed as a result of the corona measures are borne by the Flemish government for the period of 1 month. This compensation amounts to a total of €202.68 that is paid automatically.
Brussels: Measures are being taken with regard to water, gas and electricity bills of households – people cannot be cut off. Low income households who have lost income during the corona crisis are granted a lump sum of €214 to pay their rent. Renters with overdue rent cannot be set out of their home until the 3rd of May.
Wallonia: Measures are being taken in favour of citizens in precarious situations to ensure a supply of gas and electricity: cut-offs suspended during the period of confinement (currently 18th March until the 30th of June). No new budget meters will be installed during this period.
Diverse measures, therefore difficult to estimate the extent at this time.
Workers | Businesses | Citizens |
---|---|---|
Unemployed
|
Does not apply to businesses |
Parents
People on low incomes |
Actors | Funding |
---|---|
Local / regional government
|
Regional funds
|
Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:
Trade unions | Employers' organisations | |
---|---|---|
Role | No involvement as case not in social partner domain | No involvement as case not in social partner domain |
Form | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
Unknown.
The extent of their involvement is unknown, however the measures are not that close to their regular topics or competences so probably fairly limited.
Citation
Eurofound (2020), Regional measures to prevent social hardship, measure BE-2020-11/849 (measures in Belgium), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/BE-2020-11_849.html
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