The obligation to work from home four days per week should be lifted or reduced and replaced by a strong recommendation to telework, said Flemish Work Minister Hilde Crevits on Wednesday.
The obligation to telework has been in force for several months now, but as the epidemiological situation is improving, Crevits wants to see that rule a bit more relaxed.
"If I could decide for myself, I would definitely switch to recommended telework, moving away from the obligation," she said on VRT television programme 'Villa Politica' on Wednesday afternoon.
After the previous obligation to telework was abolished, many employees continued to work from home for one or two days a week. "It has now become established," Crevits said.
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"But now, we are starting to see the negative effects of that four-day obligation. That is not healthy," she added. "We must also take into account people, perhaps living in a small flat, who have been working at the kitchen table for whole days now."
When the Consultative Committee meets on Friday, from 14:00, Crevits will argue in favour of phasing out the teleworking measure. "And, if possible, no longer making it compulsory but keeping it as a strong recommendation."
Strictest in Europe
Last week, Flemish employers’ organisation Voka also called on Belgium to drop the teleworking obligation as it has been in place for more than two months.
“Belgium has the strictest homeworking obligation in Europe. It is time to be more flexible with telework,” Voka chief executive Hans Maertens stated last week. In principle, the measure is expected to remain in place until the end of April.
He explained that replacing this mandate with a telework recommendation would mean working from home remains possible, but puts that responsibility with the companies.
Maertens added that the fact that several other countries – including The Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden – have relaxed or dropped this obligation, and the fact that it disturbs cooperation and has a negative impact on employers and employees should also count towards Belgium’s decision.
