Getting enough people to work and making that work pay, but at the same time giving people the necessary breathing space to take care of themselves and each other. With this message, Flemish Minister of Welfare Hilde Crevits (CD&V) addressed the supporters at Rerum Novarum. Following the festival of the Christian workers’ movement, Crevits went to Lichtervelde in West Flanders.
Just as in the discourse of various other parties, the message ‘work must pay’ is loud in Minister Crevits’ speech. This can be done, among other things, by increasing minimum wages again in 2026, but larger levers are also needed, it is said. Crevits is referring to a tax reform with a higher tax-free amount and an adjustment of the tax scales, in addition to a stronger federal work bonus.
In addition, the CD&V leader wants to make it easier for vulnerable people to combine their benefits with a part-time salary. This includes people who have been ill and people with disabilities, but also people over 55. “This way, people are not punished when they go back to work,” he said.
“Enough oxygen”
But there is no prosperity without well-being, which is why the minister advocates “sufficient time and oxygen” when things are not going well. “So no, no fivefold index jump in unemployment benefits and living wages. And no, no suspicions of civil society and the non-profit sector.” CM chairman Luc Van Gorp also denounced attacks on midfield in his Rerum Novarum speech.
Crevits highlighted three proposals that could create the necessary “oxygen”. Firstly, the West Flemish advocates for more extensive maternity leave, whereby parents receive a thirty-week backpack at the birth of each child. In addition, the Christian Democrats want to expand the option to take parental leave until the child turns 18 and a higher benefit during that leave.
Care leave suitcase
The minister is also launching the idea of a ‘care leave suitcase’. That system would help people to combine care, job and life by bringing together existing leave systems.
Finally, Minister Crevits wants to strengthen social cohesion by creating caring neighborhoods in even more places in Flanders. These are initiatives that allow people to continue living comfortably at home or in their familiar neighborhood. They can then receive the necessary help or support from neighbors, caregivers or others.
Also read: THE REPORT. “In just two years, Hilde Crevits (CD&V) has made a significant difference in childcare” (+)
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