How can I enforce my employment rights?
CGD (commission for embassy personnel) The CGD is a mediation body consisting of members of the Federal Inspectorate (monitoring social laws), the Protocol Directorate, the Federal Department of Social Security and the unions, amongst others. The Commission’s mandate is to analyse disputes between embassy personnel and their employers, to inform the diplomatic missions of their […]
Social Security and medical insurance
Social Security As a rule, all domestic workers working legally in Belgium must be registered with Belgian Social Security. The Vienna Diplomatic and Consular Conventions do, however, make an exemption for private servants who do not need to register with Belgian social security, by way of a privilege. Employment of private servants does not have […]
Employment agreement, identity card & duration of employment
Model employment contract Employees of diplomatic missions who do not enjoy a privileged status are considered, since 2018, as private sector employees and are entitled to all employment conditions as defined by the Collective Labour Agreement of the Belgian Paritaires Committee. The employment agreement with diplomatic housekeeping staff must be based on Belgian labour law […]
The three servant subcategories
Cleaning servants These employees primarily carry out cleaning duties for the employer’s household and their family, including cleaning surfaces (floors, bathroom, furniture etc) and areas in the employer’s home (entrance hall, stairwell, basement, rooms, bedrooms, etc.): Housekeeping servants These employees mainly carry out housekeeping for the employer’s household and their family, with the purpose of […]
How do you file a complaint?
Regional labour inspectorate If you are a non-European citizen and you already have a work permit, type B (blue card), then the regional labour inspectorate of the region where you reside (Flanders, Brussels or Wallonia) is the office authorised to check compliance with the terms of your placement. You will find contact details for the […]
Medical expenses & insurance
An au pair must never pay for these expenses themselves. All medical expenses must be paid for by the host family, including advance payments. Many insurers work on the basis of a reimbursement system. In this case, the host family must advance the costs and later submit a declaration to the insurer to have these […]
Help for young adults
Flanders & Brussels (Dutch language) In Flanders and Brussels, you can go to the JAC (young person’s advice centre) of the CAW. You can visit the JAC-CAW for: JAC services are free of charge and you can get in touch with them in both Dutch and English. Young people between the ages of 12 and […]
What if I am the victim of violence or abuse?
General rules If you are a victim of abuse, at your work or outside it, you have the right to protection and possible compensation. What can you do if you’re the victim of abuse?
Extra information about your employment rights
Additional information If you need additional information about: Make sure you don’t forget to consult our general section about your rights. You will find information about this and other matters in this section.
I haven’t been paid
You have the same employment rights as any other employee in Belgium even if you are working off the books or are without legal residence. Your employer is obliged to pay you the wages you are legally entitled to. You can find out exactly what ‘wages’ (or salary) means in Belgium on this page. Find […]