Belgium wage indexation and salary disputes

Belgium has implemented a new indexation measure known as the ‘centenindex’, which caps automatic wage, pension, and benefit increases to inflation for higher earners. Under this system, indexation is capped for monthly gross salaries exceeding €4,000 and for pensions or social benefits exceeding €2,000.

Following the implementation of this measure, teachers within the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles reported discrepancies in their September pay slips. While some educators saw a slight increase in net monthly pay due to indexation, they noted a decrease in their annual gross salary, with some reporting drops between approximately 100 and 300 euros. The Ministry of Education described this as a “technical adjustment” to implement the federal cap by adjusting the base annual scale downward.

The adjustment has led to labor unrest, with the CGSP Enseignement union reviewing the legality of the procedure and the collective Mars Attacks calling for a work stoppage. Educators have expressed concerns that this “accounting workaround” may negatively impact long-term taxes and pensions.