Thessaloniki, 6th juni 2011 Piet Van den Bergh

Paid educational leave = Betaald educatief verlof / Congé-éducation payé = Training leave for the employee Number of hours salary guaranteed (max. 120) Salary cost compensated by fund = also used for vocational training Employers / sectoral joint committees organise trainings Salary cost compensated by fund

Social partners recognise the need for training Since agreement on national level 1,9 % of salary cost should be dedicated to training 50 % of employees should participate System of “Paid educational leave” is one of the instruments with the double (implicit) objective

Paid educational leave = Training leave for the employee Criteria for courses (e.g. weekend, evenings, …) Negative lists (e.g. Floral Design) = also used for vocational training In principle same criteria apply Training courses can also be recognised : by sectoral joint committees by federal joint committee on paid educational leave

Trade unions Double goal  acceptance by all parties “Vocational training” part is already well targeted by joint committees “Training leave” part should be more targeted Increase hours of training leave for employees without degree of secondary education (120 => 180) Give rights to all part-time workers Temporary agency workers

Thank you for your time!