Is the SWT being completely abolished?
No, the unemployment scheme with company supplement (SWT) will remain for a very limited category of workers. This applies to disabled workers who meet the conditions set out in collective agreement no. 165 of the National Labour Council (NAR).
This collective agreement, which expired on 30 June 2025, has been extended until 31 December 2025 by collective agreement no. 173. Furthermore, the royal decree states that all collective agreements that extend collective agreement no. 165 unchanged will also be included in this exception.
Only workers who are 58 years old at the end of their employment contract and can demonstrate 35 years of professional experience as a worker will still be eligible. Additionally, the worker must also be able to show that he or she is recognised by the government as disabled. If your worker has recognition for serious physical problems caused by work, they may also qualify.
In all other situations, no claims can be made on the SWT.
What about other workers in SWT?
If your worker is already on SWT, or is going on SWT because they still meet the conditions of the other collective agreements from the NAR, for example, because they are 60 years or older and have had a long career, or if your worker met the conditions of collective agreement no. 17 before 1 April 2025 and you dismissed your worker before that date, then:
In that case, nothing changes. Workers who met all the conditions and are already on SWT or will still go on SWT based on the old regulations will retain the right to the company supplement. This will continue until they retire.
Except for disabled workers or those with serious physical problems caused by work, it will no longer be possible to meet the other conditions and go on SWT now.
What does Securex do for you?
If you have any questions about these new developments regarding the SWT, you can contact your Securex Legal Advisor at myHR@securex.be.
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