The French-speaking Public Social Welfare Centre (CPAS) has voiced concerns over new regional and community government policies in Belgium, highlighting the "dramatic consequences" for the system.
CPAS provides social services and looks after the welfare of every citizen. The employment office executive committee, which includes representatives from all political parties, met multiple times to analyse the new governments' policy statements. All unanimously expressed worry regarding both CPAS beneficiaries and the CPAS institutions themselves.
A key source of concern is the new MR-Les Engagés coalition's plan to limit unemployment benefits to two years. This measure could have dramatic consequences for individuals and CPAS, stated the body's president Luc Vandormael.
According to estimates, around 52,000 long-term unemployed individuals might be forced to seek help from CPAS. After taking into account factors like cohabitation status, those unlikely to seek CPAS support, and those who find employment, a more realistic estimate is 17,000 to 34,000 additional beneficiaries.
Burden on local authorities
"If this measure is to be implemented, it must come with additional financial resources for CPAS, such as a 95% reimbursement rate for integration income and funding for extra staff," Vandormael urged. He also called for defined exemption conditions for those over 50 or in professional training.
Vandormael warned that implementing the measure fully without additional support would shift an unprecedented burden to local authorities, already facing budgetary pressures.
The Federation also criticised other proposals that could worsen the situation, such as merging municipalities and CPAS, imposing conditions for housing access, and introducing a community service managed by social aid centres, which they argue undermines individual freedom and the CPAS’s role.
On a positive note, the Federation acknowledged initiatives like administrative simplification, efforts to combat poverty, increasing transitional housing, enhancing reception facilities, improving housing energy efficiency, and promoting employment as a means of social emancipation.
However, Vandormael emphasised the cumulative impact of these announcements, including the influx of long-term unemployed to CPAS, lack of staffing increases, and the non-indexation of APE points, which combined, are concerning the Federation.
"Fifty years ago, there were 8,000 minimum income beneficiaries in Belgium. Today, that number has increased twentyfold, yet our resources have remained the same, leading to a significant strain on CPAS," he added.
"Nevertheless, we remain committed to advocating for social rights and are available to offer our expertise and actively participate in developing and implementing effective and equitable public policies," Vandormael concluded.
