The Christian Labour Union (ACV) warned on Saturday that the tougher suspension policy for job seekers proposed by the Flemish government would be “extremely counterproductive.”
Flemish Employment Minister Zuhal Demir (N-VA) announced on Friday that the government has approved a new action plan for the VDAB, the public employment service. While job seekers will receive more support and guidance, they must respond more quickly and effectively to opportunities offered.
Under the new plan, job seekers will have two chances to accept VDAB offers before their benefits can be suspended for 4 to 52 weeks. Repeat failures to comply can result in the complete loss of unemployment benefits. The association pointed out that many job seekers in the Flemish labour market have medical, psychological, or migration backgrounds and often require tailored assistance.
The union argued that suspending benefits would counteractively remove individuals from employment services’ oversight. They stated, “This measure is particularly counterproductive for achieving higher employment rates.” Furthermore, the ACV claimed that suspending benefits would increase poverty risk for job seekers, making it even harder for them to find work.
The union emphasised the importance of personalised guidance, training, and job placement, urging for more efficient methods. They criticised planned budget cuts, which would see the VDAB operating with at least 10% fewer resources in the coming years.
