Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Belgium’s “landing strip” lets workers 60+ with 25 years’ service reduce hours before retiring. From 2030, Minister David Clarinval cuts financial support, sparking concern from union leader Ann Vermorgen.
Belgium is changing the way older workers retire. Right now, the government is following the “landing strip” scheme. The “landing strip” scheme is a program that helps workers get ready for retirement.
Workers who are 60 or older and have worked for at least 25 years can work half-time or four-fifths of their regular hours. According to the officials, this helps them adjust to retirement more slowly. They mentioned that they get paid an allowance during this time to help them make ends meet.
Is Belgium’s 2030 landing strip reform leaving older workers behind?
According to the officials, in 2030, that landing strip scheme will change. People can still work less, but they won’t get extra money to help them during this time. This change is coming from Minister David Clarinval. He says that the scheme will still exist, but it will be different.
A group called ACV is worried about the change to the “landing strip” scheme. They say that without the extra money, only rich people will be able to work less before they retire. The group’s leader, Ann Vermorgen, says the change is like cutting something important away. She is worried that people over 50 will get sick more often if they don’t work less.
She mentioned that without the “landing strip,” older workers might have to keep working hard even when they are tired, which could make them sick. She said that more people need to take time off work because they are sick. Vermorgen thinks the change will make it harder for people to have a good end to their careers.
