May 1 was once the high day of socialists and socialists alone. Those times are far behind us. Today other parties also claim Labor Day. They all throw presents to entice those who work. More than ever, May 1 has become a day of great promises. From higher minimum wages and more vacation days to a lowering of the retirement age. These are all proposals that come with a hefty price tag. Only N-VA and CD&V missed Labor Day. The Christian Democrats will wait until Ascension Day to celebrate. Then it is Rerum Novarum, the day of the Christian workers’ movement. But what do the other political parties promise their voters forty days before the elections?
Moving forward: higher minimum wages
In her speech on the eve of May 1, Vooruit chairwoman Melissa Depraetere argued for an increase in the minimum wage. Today in our country that is approximately 13 euros per hour. If it depends on the Socialists, that amount should increase to 15 euros per hour. Converted into a monthly wage, this means an increase from 2,000 euros to 2,500 euros gross. Depraetere mainly markets the increase in minimum wages as an instrument to increase the difference between working and not working. “Many more people will want to work this way,” it says.
Melissa Depraetere advocates higher minimum wages in her May 1 speech. — © Fred Debrock
On Labor Day itself, Depraetere launched another proposal, this time around pensions. Anyone who starts working at the age of eighteen should be able to receive a full pension at the age of 60. “Anyone who has worked for 42 years has done his part and well deserved his rest,” according to Depraetere. The statutory retirement age in our country is now 65. By 2030 this will increase to 67 years. Ex-chairman Conner Rousseau also advocated not only looking at age, but also at the years worked that someone has. But Vooruit bit the dust during the last legislature.
Green: more statutory leave
“May 1st is no longer the day of the socialists,” Petra De Sutter, deputy prime minister of Groen, said firmly on the radio. She launched a proposal to expand the statutory minimum leave from 20 to 25 days. Compared to other Europeans, Belgians receive too little statutory leave, Groen believes. Especially those who work in the private sector for a low wage, such as a cleaner, waiter or construction worker, often have to make do with the minimum. “Employees from the banking world, chemicals, government or education can count on many more days,” says De Sutter. According to Groen, five additional statutory days of leave per year are an important step to improve the balance between work and private life for everyone.
Open VLD: more pension for those who work
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) also climbed onto the stage for a May 1 speech. There he emerged as the liberal leader in the campaign. The Prime Minister demolished some of the election proposals from coalition partners Groen, CD&V and Vooruit. And N-VA, which wants to build a prison in Kosovo, also had to pay the price. “On the left they are already spending money, on the right they want to destroy the country,” De Croo lashed out. “We are the only ones who have our priorities in order.” De Croo himself also came up with a striking proposal. Open VLD wants those who have worked to receive 500 euros more in pension at the end of the day than those who have not worked.
Vlaams Belang: 239 euros net for those who work
Vlaams Belang also claims to be the party of working people. During the family day in Plopsaland, chairman Tom Van Grieken presented his purchasing power plan. This should provide working Flemish people with at least 239 euros net every month. Vlaams Belang copies some of the recipes from the tax reform of Minister of Finance Vincent Van Peteghem (CD&V). For example, the party is considering an increase in the tax-free amount and a reduction in tax brackets. The cut in the migration bill and an independent Flanders will also bring in money, according to Van Grieken.
Tom Van Grieken (Vlaams Belang) promises an extra 239 euros net for those who work during the family day in Plopsaland — © Fred Debroc
PVDA: an outstretched hand to Vooruit
No real surprises at PVDA on Labor Day. A millionaire’s tax, higher wages and a return of the retirement age to 65 remain the tried and tested recipes of the far left to convince the voter. Hedebouw did expressly reach out to Vooruit to realize these proposals. “Today the sad truth is that if you vote for Vooruit, you get the N-VA for free,” according to Hedebouw. He presents himself as the strategic left-wing voice on June 9.