How many hours do I have to work?

• If you are working full time, your employee normally allows you to work a maximum of 38 hours per week.• If you work more hours than this, this is considered overtime. You must be paid a higher wage for these extra working hours (from 40 hours).• Your employer is never allowed to ask you […]

How should the employer pay your wages?

Which agreements should I reach with my employer before I start working?

If you work legally, the agreements between employer and employee are generally put down on paper, i.e. a written ’employment contract’ or ’employment agreement’. This contains the names of the employer and the employee, the kind of work, the working hours and the wage amount. The contract must be signed by both you and the […]

I work as a self-employed person or active partner. What does that mean?

The employment rights described on this website apply only to employees. Anybody who works for themself and is therefore self-employed can demand rights such as a minimum wage or compensation for an accident at work. In addition, a self-employed person is personally responsible for paying social security contributions and taxes and is committing a criminal […]

How can I enforce my employment rights?

Can I take my employer to court?

Personally claiming damages in a court case If, following the inspectorate’s investigation, the case appears to be sufficiently serious, the inspector may draw up a report (a record) and submit it to the court. It will then be decided whether your employer has to appear before a judge or not. If your employer is convicted, […]

What should I do if the inspectorate catches me during an inspection?

Tell the truth You will not be punished because you were working clandestinely. Only your employer can be punished for that. You can only win if you tell the inspector the truth. Whatever you tell them, this will have no effect on your residence rights. Bear in mind that an inspector primarily wants employee rights […]

Can I join a trade union?

What are trade unions? In Belgium, trade unions are essentially associations that represent employees’ general interests and base themselves on the fundamental values of equality and social justice. That means that they form no part of the government. They operate entirely independently thanks to member contributions, which act as the binding agent of solidarity. Trade […]

What if I am the victim of violence or abuse?

General rules You have the right to refuse sexual advances you find unpleasant: touching, making remarks or someone undressing in front of you. All these situations are considered sexual abuse or ‘sexual harassment’. Rape is a serious crime and one for which the perpetrator should be ashamed. There are laws in Belgium that prohibit discrimination: […]

What is human trafficking?

If an employer seriously abuses an employee (clandestinely), this may be a case of human trafficking. If you cooperate with an investigation in such a case, the law provides for protection for you. Human trafficking can occur when your identity papers are taken away by your employer, you are locked up or your employer physically […]