Belgium wants to make the country's e-commerce sector more attractive by reducing labour costs. Regulations are causing many companies in e-commerce to divert to neighbouring countries, resulting in job losses. Charge reductions, for example for night work, should boost employment in the sector.
Kris Peeters, federal minister of Work, Economy and Consumer Affairs is particularly calling for a reduction in charges for night work. Previously, night work was prohibited in the Belgian e-commerce sector. This made next-day delivery impossible for many webshops. To compete with neighbouring countries, the ban on night work was lifted late last year.
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Companies that wanted to process orders even after 8 p.m. would have to come up with their own collective agreement provision for night work. Six months after the ban was abolished, it turned out that no company had drafted such a provision. Charge reduction, especially for night work, should ensure that distribution centres remain active even after 8 pm. "I think that could boost employment in the sector," Peeters said. The minister revealed on the television programme Het Nieuws that he would study a charge reduction.
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