Belgium: Operating a Business

Legal Forms of Companies

Types of Companies and Capital (Max/Min)	Number of Partners/Shareholders and Liability
Besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid (BVBA) is a Private Limited Company. EUR 18,550 entirely subscribed and released up to minimum EUR 6,200. EUR 12,400 in case of one shareholder.	At least one shareholder Partners' liability is limited to the amount contributed.
Naamloze vennootschap (NV) is a Public Limited Company. 61,500 € totally subscribed and released.	Minimum 2 shareholders. Partners' liability is limited to the amount contributed.
Vennootschap Onder Firma (VO) is a general partnership. No minimum capital.	Minimum 2 partners. Partners' liability is joint and several.
Commanditaire Vernootschap (CV) is a limited partnership. No minimum capital.	Two types of partners: active partners and sleeping partners. Active partners' liability is joint and several, while the sleeping partners are liable for debts until the amount of the sum contributed.
The co-operative company (SC) with unlimited and joint liability (SCRIS) or gathers a group of companies. No minimum capital.	Maximum 3 partners. Partners' liability is joint and unlimited on their whole personal assets.
The co-operative company with limited liability (SCRL) is similar to the BVBA / SPRL. EUR 18,550 released up to EUR 6,200.	Maximum 3 partners. Partners' liability is limited to the amount contributed.

Enterprises Federation: Federation of enterprises in Belgium
Brussels enterprises commerce and industry
Walloon union of Belgium enterprises
Search a Company or a Financial Report: BCC

Source: Doing Business.

For Further Information: Consult Doing Business Website, to know about procedures to start a Business in Belgium.
COFACE, Belgian companies register.
The Competent Organization: The bank, the notary and the business one-stop shop.

	2010
Labor Force	5,020,000

Source: CIA - The world factbook

Source: UN - United Nations

Employed Persons, by Occupation (% of Total Labor Force)	2006
Agriculture	1.3%
Industry	24.5%
Services	74.6%

Working Rest Day: 2
Paid Annual Vacation: As far as holidays are concerned, there is a difference between workers and employees. The National Holiday Allowance Office (ONVA/RJV) provides holiday allowance for the former and the employer provides it for the latter. The number of days of paid holiday depends on the number of days worked during the previous year.
Retirement Age: 65
Child Labor and Minimum Age For Employment: 16

The Areas Covered: A few years ago, a central social security databank was set up for the social security system. This databank has enabled administrative costs to be reduced since it brings together all data on insured persons in one single place. Each body in the social security system is able to consult the data. This marks a significant improvement since previously, employers and insured persons had to submit data, which they had perhaps already provided to other bodies, every time to each body. The data can also be consulted by other bodies provided that they have been granted access, for example transport companies that use social tariffs, health care providers and so on. Family benefit, Sick leaves, Maternity-paternity
Contributions: Contributions Paid By the Employer: The social security system is financed by contributions from employees and employers and subsidies from the state. The amounts are calculated based on the gross salary (basic salary plus bonuses, benefits in kind an so forth) and are paid to the National Office of Social Security (ONSS/RSZ). Employees contributions finance approximately 13% of the social security system. Employers' contributions account for over 34%.
Contributions Paid By the Employee: Employees' contributions finance approximately 13% of the social security system.
Competent Organization: National Organism of social security.

Method of Recruitment: Recruitment via connections is high rate of success. Interim as the charges and the constraints for employers are high, most companies would recruit after testing the person on interim basis. Big size companies recruit within the group/company.
Recruitment Agencies: Sam Headhunting
Chorus
Russel Reynolds associate
Michael Page
Le Forem
Recruitment Websites: Stepstone
Monster
Xpatjobs

Type of Contract: There are several types of employment contract commonly used in Belgium. There are different contracts for manual workers and white-collar workers. In addition, separate contracts exist for domestic workers, student workers, professional sports people and home workers. More info on Angloinfo.

Breach of Contracts
Dismissals: Dismissal because of misconduct or resignation means no benefit entitlement under normal circumstances. Dismissal must be done by registered letter.

Protected workers, such as trade union representatives, prevention advisers, workers on paternity leave and pregnant women, cannot be dismissed. In some cases dismissal is possible only if a severance payment is made.
Other Possible Methods: Employment may come to an end for various reasons. In most cases, either the employer or the employee gives notice. Other possibilities are expiry of the agreed period of employment, death, dismissal for serious misconduct, major force, or mutual agreement.

Sometimes a contract is suspended on account of a temporary instance of major force , such as inclement weather or a fire. If the suspension is short-term, the employer pays; otherwise payment is the responsibility of the unemployment office.
Labor Laws: Anglo info

Procedure: Notice must be given in writing and indicate the start and duration of the period of notice. This period differs according to whether you are a manual worker or a white-collar worker, whether the employee hands in his or her notice (resignation) or whether the employer gives notice (dismissal). It is possible for the notice not to be worked, in which case it is replaced by a one-off payment, the amount of which is equivalent to the salary, which would have been paid or received during this period.

In Belgium, conciliation of collective labor disputes relies on the principle of voluntary conciliation. It is conducted by joint commissions, which are statutory bodies under public law, generally chaired by social conciliators, civil servants from the Department of Collective Labor Relations Service, in the Federal Ministry of Employment and Labor.

Unionization Rate: 60%
Unions: Syndicat Liberal
Algemeen Christelijk Vakverbond / Confédération des Syndicats Chrétiens -
Nationale Bondsstaat van de Kaders / Confédération Nationale des Cadres -
Algemeen Belgisch Vakverbond / Fédération Générale du Travail de Belgique
Regulation Bodies: Federal Public Service Employment, Labor and Social Dialogue
Federation of Belgian companies

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