The Central Economic Council issues a first report on the wage margin for 2025–2026
The Central Economic Council (CEC) published a first report on 19 February 2025 presenting detailed calculations of the maximum available wage margin for 2025–2026. This report was drafted within the framework of the Act of 26 July 1996 on the promotion of employment and the preventive safeguarding of competitiveness.
The purpose of the Act is to ensure that wage negotiations are compatible with objectives relating to employment and competitiveness. The Act provides that the average hourly labour cost in the Belgian private sector must evolve in line with that of three reference countries: Germany, the Netherlands, and France.
By maintaining competitive wage conditions, the Act also stimulates recruitment and promotes the retention of existing jobs. It constitutes an essential safeguard against rising unemployment.
A margin of 0% for 2025–2026
The maximum margin constitutes a ceiling for actual wage increases during the two years of the Interprofessional Agreement (IPA), at sectoral, company, or individual level.
This margin amounts to 0% for 2025–2026.
Expected increase in labour costs in the reference countries: +1.0%
Correction for the safety margin: 0.5%
Correction based on the previous wage agreement: 0.5%
Available margin for 2025–2026: 0.0%
Start of negotiations between the social partners
The publication of the CEC report marks the start of negotiations on an Interprofessional Agreement (IPA) 2025–2026, which will determine the wage margin for the next two years, the allocation of envelopes for increasing certain benefits, and the extension of biennial collective labour agreements.
David Clarinval, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Employment, Economy and Agriculture:
“I wish to once again stress the crucial importance of social dialogue and the essential role played by the social partners in the reforms of our labour market. Representatives of employees and employers can thus engage in dialogue, negotiate and reach balanced agreements. In a constantly changing world, social dialogue makes it possible to guide economic and technological shifts.”
If no consensus is reached between the social partners within a period of two months from the date of the report, the government will invite the social partners for consultation and put forward a mediation proposal.
