Flexible workers, including those with extra contracts, flexi-jobs or temporary roles, sometimes struggle to access unemployment benefits, according to a study from the National Employment Office (ONEM).
However, while eligibility rules in Belgium seem stricter than in many other European countries, ONEM notes that these workers are not without social protection.
To qualify for unemployment benefits, the applicant must have worked a certain number of days, which varies based on several criteria, including age.
For those primarily in flexible job situations, meeting these conditions can be more difficult due to frequent interruptions in their employment, ONEM explains.
Only the days worked within a specified time frame, known as the reference period, determine entitlement to benefits. The duration of such periods varies, depending on the individual’s age and circumstances.
“The most recent period always applies,” says Michiel Segaert, head of research at ONEM.
“Imagine, for example, that a 21-month reference period applies to your case. Checking your entitlement to benefits over this 21-month period will consider your workdays during the current month," he explains, "but the same verification over 22 months will not consider them.
"Therefore, it might take longer to receive unemployment benefits for those who only take sporadic jobs than those who work regularly.”
However, flexible workers are not without social protection, ONEM emphasises. While building up entitlement is slower for those in sporadic jobs, it is not impossible.
Other branches of social security can also offer assistance if needed, such as the integration allowance for young people, according to ONEM. In 2012, the reference periods were successfully extended to adapt to this trend.
Meanwhile, people with regular employment and flexi-jobs sometimes have higher numbers of workdays when calculating entitlement to benefits, and hence, may secure their benefit entitlements more quickly.
