Flemish socialist union ACOD has voiced its discontent with pension plans being negotiated amid Federal Government formation talks, calling the proposals a "breach of contract" and "outright theft".
According to the union, public services and their staff will bear the brunt of the proposed budget cuts, and the union has been inundated with concerned messages from public sector workers.
Several media outlets suggest the parties forming the Arizona coalition aim to change pension calculations. For example, civil servants’ pensions may no longer be based on their salaries from the last 10 years of their career.
Plans also include abolishing the system where pensions increase with the salaries of active civil servants. Stricter access to the minimum pension is another possible measure.
The union describes these proposals as a "breach of contract" and "outright theft". It warns that failing to honour pension agreements will significantly impact accrued pension rights.
Most future retirees could receive €200 to €400 less per month on average, the union estimates. Negotiators hope to cut pensions for all workers, not just civil servants, the ACOD adds.
"This is incomprehensible, especially as the current pension is already insufficient to cover retirement home costs," the union states.
The union criticises politicians for taking the easy route to save money by targeting ordinary workers, both in the private and public sectors. It also criticised the fact that there is no serious tax reform shifting the burden to those best able to bear it.
