Minimum income and social integration institutional arrangements

Host Country : Belgium

Place and date : Brussels , 7. - 8.11.2005

Peer countries : Austria - Estonia - Hungary - Luxembourg - Romania - Slovakia - The Netherlands

In 2002 Belgium introduced a law at federal level concerning the right to social integration. This law (26/05/2002) replaces a law dating from 1974 organising the minimum income. The new law still provides social benefits for people without (or with insufficient) income but includes more guarantees for social integration through a mix of additional instruments: a job activation, an integration income, and an individualised social integration programme. The new legislation focuses on the situation and the possibilities of the individual and provides means for job searching and the necessary accompanying and support.

The legislation contributes to the integration of persons excluded from the labour market. In principle every person living in Belgium (either Belgian or registered in a foreigners' register) with insufficient income under certain conditions, like place of residence and age group, can qualify for the measure. The measure focuses especially on young people under 25 years of age. The measure recognises their right to work and offers the possibility for social integration by means of a proposal for a suitable occupation within three months after their request for assistance has been received. Such a suitable occupation can be a labour contract or an individual programme for social integration (social or vocational skills training, further education, etc.).

The legislation is federal, i.e. applicable throughout the country, but implementation is organised by the local authorities and takes place through the local centres for social action (CPAS). The policy is co-financed by the federal and local level. A political agreement arranges regular increases in the allocated social benefits. The measure calls for partnership and sharing of responsibilities between federal and local authorities. The general responsibility rests at the federal level, insuring the uniformity of the recognised rights, and the control and monitoring function. The implementation is done by the communes, taking into account the local potentialities, problems and needs.

Agenda - | en |

Peer Review manager

Ms Thea Meinema ( NIZW )

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Minimum income and social integration institutional arrangements

Host Country : Belgium

Place and date : Brussels , 7. - 8.11.2005

Peer countries : Austria - Estonia - Hungary - Luxembourg - Romania - Slovakia - The Netherlands

Peer Review manager

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