On 28 April 2023 a royal decree was published in the Belgian Official Gazette which offers companies that achieved (exceptionally) high profits in 2022 the possibility to grant a purchasing power premium to their employees. This premium aims to contribute to the economic recovery after the energy crisis.<\/p>\n
Duration and use<\/strong><\/p>\n This premium can be awarded form 1 June 2023 until 31 December 2023. <\/p>\n It must be granted in the form of a consumption voucher, so it can not be allocated in cash. The voucher will be valid until 31 December 2024.<\/p>\n The premium can be used for various purposes, such as the payment of meals or for the purchase of prepared food, like is the case for meal vouchers. In addition, the premium can also be used to purchase ecological products and services included in the list annexed to collective agreement no. 98 regarding eco vouchers.<\/p>\n Allocation<\/strong><\/p>\n The granting of the purchasing power premium must, in principle, be regulated by a collective bargaining agreement concluded at sector or company level. In case a collective bargaining agreement is concluded at sector level, it must, in order to be legally valid, contain definitions of high profits and exceptionally high profits. In case of a collective bargaining agreement at company level, a justification must be added regarding the high profits achieved by the company during the crisis of 2022..<\/p>\n However, if such a collective bargaining agreement cannot be concluded due to lack of union representation or if it concerns a category of personnel to which such an agreement does not usually apply, the allocation may be regulated by an individual agreement.<\/p>\n