Factsheet for case
BE-2020-24/941
–
Updated
– measures in Belgium
Consumption cheques for employees
Consumptiecheque
Background information
In the framework of measures taken to cushion the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government has launched a new initiative in June in the form of so called 'consumption cheques'.
The cheques have two goals. On the one hand, they stimulate consumers to buy locally and from sectors that are struck hard by the current crisis. On the other hand, they provide employees some additional purchasing power.
Content of measure
The consumer cheque is a paper cheque that the employees can spend in Belgian sectors that were most affected during the lockdown: in particular the hospitality industry, sports clubs and the culture sector. The check is granted by the employer.
The granting of the cheque must be governed by a sectoral collective agreement. If there is no sectoral collective agreement, an enterprise collective agreement must be concluded via the local trade union delegation. If there is no trade union delegation within the company, the granting must be regulated in an individual annex to the employment contract.
The maximum amount that can be granted per employee is €300. The cheque falls outside the wage standard and may not be granted to replace existing wage benefits.
The cheque cannot be granted on an individual basis. Employers are obliged to award it to all staff members or to an objectively defined category within the staff.
Updates
The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.
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24 August 2020
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Consumption vouchers can now also be used for companies that fall under the joint committees for small retailers, if they were compulsorily closed for more than one month during the lockdown. In addition, the consumption vouchers can now be issued electronically.
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Use of measure
The measure is not finalised as of today, it is still to be launched formally.
Target groups
Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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National government
Company / Companies
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Companies
National funds
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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Unknown
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Unknown
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Form
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Not applicable
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Not applicable
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
-
Unknown
-
Main level of involvement: N/A
Involvement
No data yet available.
Views and reactions
Neither the employers' organisations nor the trade unions have released a strong public statement/opinion regarding the measure. Employers' organisation Unizo is however providing information to their members (employers) on how the system will work when it is ultimately launched.
Sources
