Belgium labor market faces job losses and unpaid overtime issues

The Belgian labor market is facing significant challenges, characterized by a decline in net employment and widespread issues regarding working conditions. Data from the Dynam project indicates that net employment in Belgium fell by 2,321 jobs at the end of 2025, marking a sharp reversal from previous growth trends. Job growth reached a historic low of 4.7 percent, a level only surpassed during the global pandemic. Brussels experienced the most significant impact, losing 3,972 jobs, largely due to the closure of an Audi factory.

Parallel to these employment losses, a study conducted by iVOX for Partena Professional reveals a culture of unpaid and unregistered overtime. Approximately 89 percent of employees report working beyond their scheduled hours, yet more than half stated they are never compensated for overtime, and nearly 38 percent noted their extra hours are not officially recorded. High workloads have also led to significant wellness issues; about 40 percent of staff regularly skip breaks to meet demands, a trend most prevalent among office workers and civil servants. New legislation is expected by 2027 to mandate transparent time registration to address these gaps.