Belgium's Federal Government is stepping up efforts to tackle long-term illnesses and will soon provide free advice to people experiencing early signs of burnout.
Legislation is also in sight to help in preventing musculoskeletal disorders, which have caused around 200,000 employees and the self-employed to miss over a year of work, De Tijd and L’Echo reported on Wednesday.
In Belgium, half a million workers and business owners have been out of work for more than a year due to illness. A third of these cases involve individuals suffering from back and muscle injuries. Burnout accounted for another third of incidents.
Federal Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit) is allocating €6 million to set up a support programme for those displaying early burnout symptoms. The goal is to help up to 1,650 people a year avoid succumbing to burnout.
Federal Minister of Labour Pierre-Yves Dermagne (PS), has drafted a royal decree which equates the risk of muscle and back injuries in companies with exposure to carcinogenic substances or psychosocial risks. This should encourage companies, prevention services and occupational physicians to take the issue more seriously.
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The measures were discussed by social partners grouped under the banner of the Higher Council for Prevention and Protection at Work, who gave their unanimous support for the draft decree, which must still be reviewed by the Council of State.
This would make Belgium the first European country to introduce work wellness legislation specifically aimed at burnout.
