Your rights as an employee
EMPLOYEE WORK STATUTE YOUR RIGHTS AS AN EMPLOYEE
Do you work in Belgium as an employee at a company?
Then you enter into an employment contract with your employer.
In that contract, it states:
- What your job is.
- What salary you receive.
- How many hours you work.
Your salary is usually determined by a CBA (collective labor agreement) that applies in your sector.
If no collective labor agreement exists, you are entitled to the statutory minimum wage.
The salary on your employment contract is your gross salary. Costs are still deducted from this. The amount you receive in your bank account is your net salary.
What is included in an employment contract?
1. Name and address of the employee and employer
2. Type of contract:
a) Fixed-term: end date is specified.
b) Permanent: no end date is specified.
c) Temporary work: through a temp agency; often day and week contracts.
3. Start date of the agreement: For fixed-term contracts, also the end date.
4. Place of employment: The location where you perform your work.
5. Position: What are your tasks? Warehouse worker, bricklayer, logistics employee. Note: the vaguer this is, the more room there is for abuse.
6. Salary and additional benefits:
a) You have a gross salary: before social security contributions and taxes and what is stated in your contract.
b) Your net salary is what you get paid.
c) You may be entitled to additional benefits such as: phone, meal vouchers, eco vouchers, shift allowance, thirteenth month / bonus, sectoral benefits, company car, etc.
7. Working hours and schedule: Usually this is 38 hours/week, but it can vary per sector (for example: construction, logistics, or cleaning). Especially for part-time work.
Do you work 40 hours per week? Then you are entitled to 12 extra days off.
8. Probation period: If applicable.
9. Vacation and leave: here are your statutory vacation days and your sectoral leave days such as construction leave.
10. Signatures of both parties: Everyone must receive an original copy.
11. Receipt confirmation of the work regulations: Mandatory document with rules about safety, behavior, absences, ..
Workers are paid by the hour and not by the month.
What is gross salary?
The gross salary is the salary stated in your contract. This is the amount before taxes and social security contributions are deducted.
What is deducted from the gross salary?
Social security contributions (RSZ)
For pension, health insurance, unemployment, ...
This is about 13.07% of your gross salary
Withholding tax (Taxes)
Determined by your family situation and salary level
This is an advance on your annual taxes
More info about the different contributions and gross salary
What is net salary?
The net salary is the amount that you actually receive in your bank account. After all deductions such as taxes and social contributions have been made.
Types of contracts
There are different types of contracts:
A day contract or week contract
A fixed-term contract (a one-month contract, 3 months, a year, …)
A permanent contract (without an end date)
With a fixed-term contract, both the start and end dates are fixed. You work until the agreed end date without having to give notice.
Attention
Your employment contract must be in writing and signed by you and your employer before you start working.
FULL-TIME OR PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT How many hours do you work?
In Belgium, you usually work 38 hours per week.
You are allowed to work a maximum of 9 hours per day.
- In some companies or sectors, you work 36 or 40 hours per week.
Do you work 40 hours per week?
Then you get at least 12 extra days off per year.
- It is important that your working hours are clearly stated in your employment contract.
- Each working day must last at least 3 hours.
Minimum wage & payment
In Belgium, you must earn at least €2,111.89 gross per month if you work full-time (38 hours per week) - since February 1, 2025. That is approximately €12.82 gross per hour.
You may never earn less than this wage.
Your salary depends on:
Your age.
Your diplomas.
Your experience.
The type of work you do.
Do you work weekends or evenings? Then your salary must also be slightly higher. This can also vary by joint committee.
Here you can find the correct salary if you work with service vouchers or as domestic staff.
Attention
If there is no separate minimum wage in your sector, you are entitled to the general minimum wage. This is the lowest wage you may receive in Belgium. No one may earn less than this amount!
Source: fairworkbelgium.be
What should you pay attention to in order to avoid exploitation?
Working hours and rest
Are your working hours and breaks clearly defined?
Are the working hours realistic?
Overtime without pay or rest? This is legally not allowed without compensation.
No access to breaks or leave? Legally, you have the right to them.
Pressure or threats when refusing extra work? This may indicate abuse of power.
Contract and position
No written contract? That is a big risk. You have no proof. Always ask for a signed contract before you start.
Is your position not well described? This may lead to misuse such as tasks outside your role.
With day and week contracts, you don’t have to serve a notice period.
Is there a clear termination arrangement?
Is your notice period correctly stated?
Salary and compensation
No clear salary or payment in cash without proof?
This may indicate undeclared work or underpayment.
Do you receive shift premiums or travel allowances if applicable?
Unfair additional costs: Are unfair charges deducted
For example: for housing, transport, or administration.
Social security and protection
No social security contributions? Ask for your payslip or check via mycareer.be.
Social security: Are your details correctly reported to the NSSO by your employer?
Insurances: Does your employer have mandatory work accident insurance and health insurance?
Are safety regulations or medical examinations required?
Housing
No mandatory housing through employer. You have the right to choose this yourself.