Belgian committee backs Blue Card and worker-protection changes
The 14 October second-reading approval concerns highly qualified workers and some victims of labour exploitation; it does not establish that the rules are in force.
The Belgian House’s Interior Committee approved bill 56K1650 at second reading on 14 October. The proposal changes residence provisions for highly qualified foreign workers and certain other workers. Parliament distributed the second-reading report and adopted text on 23 October.[1]
EMN Belgium’s official explanation says the bill would set a maximum 90-day processing period for EU Blue Cards and facilitate mobility within the EU, retaining existing salary, qualification and working-time conditions. Certain workers suffering serious employment offences by their employer could, subject to conditions, have up to 6 months to find another job before their work-related residence ends.[2]
The parliamentary file remained marked as pending in the House when checked on 3 November. Committee approval does not establish that these proposed deadlines, protections or residence provisions are already applicable.[1][2]
Official sources
This article provides general information. Individual applications are subject to the applicable rules and the competent authority’s assessment.