Labour laws

Employers with employees working on Belgian territory must observe the working, pay and employment conditions provided for by law. External linkAll labour legislation applicable in Belgium (FR/NL) is published on the Federal Public Service Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue’s website (in French and Dutch).

The fundamental provisions concern:

• Working and rest hours: how the work is organised, such as normal maximum hours, overtime and work at night and on Sundays and public holidays
• Minimum wage: minimum hourly rates as laid down in collective bargaining agreements and made compulsory by Royal Decree
• Temporary work: the rules governing temporary work and when it is permitted
• Employee leasing: the rules governing the leasing of employees to users
• Equal treatment: the principle of non-discrimination, especially between men and women
• Protection of children
• Health, safety and security at work
• Protection of pregnant women
• Scope of some social documents

Every employer must establish an Internal Prevention and Protection at Work Section (French acronym: SIPPT), which helps apply measures designed to ensure employee well-being.

For more information, contact the Direction régionale du Contrôle du Bien-être au Travail (regional well-being at work inspectorate):