Reform of the Overseas Social Security Office (OSSO)
General Principles The OSSO is a voluntary scheme guaranteed by the Belgian state that offers limited social security coverage to individuals working outside the European Economic Area. Participation in the General Scheme is the basis for affiliation and any entitlement to a retirement pension, holiday pay for pensioners, allowances in case of illness, maternity or
New rules on earning income after retirement enacted
The previously announced government measures to encourage people to work longer have recently been signed into law. The new regime relaxes the conditions on working while claiming a pension and also makes important changes to the existing system of pension bonuses. 1. Restrictions on earning income for pensioners over 65 who’ve worked for 42 years
Regulation (EC) no 883/2004 has become applicable to Croatia
Since 1 July 2013, Croatia is a member of the European Union. Accordingly, the provisions of Regulation (EC) no 883/2004 of 29 April 2004 on the coordination of social security systems have become applicable to Croatia. In addition, Regulations (EC) no 987/2009 (application regulation), no 1231/2010 (extension to third country nationals) and no 465/2012 (amendments)
Work permit exemption for students
The Belgian Council of Ministers has proposed a draft Royal Decree to implement a new work permit exemption for students following an internship in Belgium. In case this draft Royal Decree is accepted non-EEA students will be exempted from the obligation to hold a valid work permit to follow an internship in Belgium within the
Work permit obligation for Croatian employees
As a result of Croatia’s accession to the European Union on 1 July 2013, the Belgian Council of Ministers approved on 17 May 2013 the draft Royal Decree relating to the transitional immigration measures applicable to Croatian employees who will work in Belgium. During the transitional period of 2 years, Croatian nationals who will work
Reform social security contributions of self-employed persons by 2015
Since 1967, social security contributions for self-employed persons are payable based on the income earned three years previously. Last week, Minister Laruelle announced the reform of this calculation method by 2015. 1. The current system In the current system, the contribution level for self-employed persons in the current year (N) is determined based on the
The conquest of English in the work place?
In a judgement handed down on 16 April 2013, the European Court of Justice stated that the Flemish Decree on Use of Languages infringes the free movement of workers. According to this judgement, Belgium cannot stipulate that, in a cross-border employment situation, the related acts and documents are only valid in the Flemish region when
Salary moderation
In practical terms, this means that wages cannot be increased over the period 2013-2014, other than through index corrections and agreed baremic pay scale rises. It should be underlined that this Royal Degree is applicable as from 2 May 2013 and has therefore no retroactive effect. The Royal Decree is drawn up in execution of
