Getting more people into jobs and keeping them motivated to work for longer is only possible if jobs are actually workable. There is still room for improvement in the food sector. Companies with their own trade union delegation must therefore have a collective labour agreement on workable work before the end of the year.

Since 2013, the government has wanted the employment plan for people 45 and older to keep older employees motivated to keep working for longer. It obliges companies with 20 or more employees to use concrete actions to better adjust jobs and working conditions to their needs.

This was also a step in the right direction for the food sector, where the average age is rising. The sector is now shifting things up a gear with the collective labour agreement on workable work. Since the previous sector agreement, all food companies with a trade union delegation are obliged to conclude a collective labour agreement on workable work.

Why this collective labour agreement for the food sector? A workable job is exciting, offers learning opportunities, has an acceptable work-life balance, and you – the employee – don’t get sick or stressed out. But the food sector appears to score lower than average on several of these aspects. This was the conclusion of the Flemish Workability Monitor, a study on the quality of jobs in Flanders by the SERV.

Increasing stress, demotivation, and lack of learning opportunities are the main causes of the weak report. In addition to increasing workload, physically demanding jobs, and routine work, the support of direct managers can be improved, according to the workability monitor. The collective labour agreement on workable work means that food companies must change this using concrete action points.

In the meantime, the final meeting for the collective labour agreement is approaching because everything must be in place by 31 December 2020 at the latest. Anyone who fails to meet the deadline risks a sanction in the form of an additional NSSO contribution. This payment is applicable from 1 April 2021 until the quarter in which the collective labour agreement is effectively concluded.

Lastly, there is also a Career Fund established to support the development and implementation of the collective labour agreements. Specifically, the Fund will guide employers in the food sector to improve working conditions, strengthen their HR policy, and thus make careers more sustainable.

Need inspiration for your CLA on workable work? This white paper from Alimento, the association for employees and employers in the food industry, puts you on the right track with a number of practical examples.

Working on workable work?

Together, we promote the vitality of your employees. Do you have a specific question? Please don’t hesitate to contact us on +32 2 549 71 00 or email us. We are happy to help.