Social dialogue
Belgium is renowned for its social dialogue mechanism. In the private sector, this institutional framework for negotiations at various levels between social partners (trade unions and employers’ organisations) leads to the conclusion of collective labour agreements.
Joint committees were set up to negotiate collective labour agreements in each activity sector. The agreements cover working conditions, wages and managing peaceful industrial relations.
Peaceful industrial relations
When concluding collective labour agreements, employer and trade union representatives undertake to comply with the provisions of the respective agreement throughout the term of the agreement, thus ensuring peaceful industrial relations.
More information
View sectoral collective labour agreements on the website of the FPS Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue.
View intersectoral collective labour agreements on the website of the National Labour Council.
Find out more about social dialogue (works councils, committees for prevention and protection at work, social elections, trade union delegations) on the belgium.be website.