Employment: a federal reform without a regional response

The double crisis

Brussels faces an unprecedented situation: the largest federal unemployment reform in decades arrives at the precise moment when the Region is unable to deploy a structural political response.

The federal unemployment reform

Since 1 January 2026, the reform adopted by the federal government limits the duration of unemployment benefits to a maximum of 24 months. The main measures:

• Professional integration period reduced from 12 to 6 months
• Integration allowances limited to 12 months (compared to 36 months previously)
• Mass exclusion: according to the FGTB, at least 32,000 Brussels residents were excluded from January 2026, and 42,000 over 18 months (Actiris estimate)

The most affected municipalities: Brussels-City (7,825 exclusions), Schaerbeek (4,761), Anderlecht (4,604), Molenbeek (4,048). In Saint-Josse, Molenbeek and Saint-Gilles, nearly 4% of the population is affected.

The Region's inability to respond

In caretaker mode, the Brussels government cannot:

• Launch new structural employment programmes
• Create the Employment Task Force called for by Brupartners to mobilise all Brussels stakeholders
• Vote a real budget to increase resources for Actiris and Bruxelles Formation
• Adopt new ordinances on employment or training

What has been done despite everything

The caretaker government adopted a 7-measure action plan in July 2025 to prepare for the reform:

1. Simplification of availability checks
2. Strengthened individual guidance
3. Generalisation of skills assessments
4. Increased orientation towards shortage occupations
5. Review of employment aid
6. Modularisation of training programmes
7. Incentives for studies in high-demand sectors

These measures, operational from 1 March 2026, represent what a caretaker government can do — but fall short of the structural response that social partners deem necessary.

The 4th ONEM wave

In January 2026, ONEM sent 7,654 letters (art. 63) to Brussels jobseekers, informing them of the end of their right to integration allowances on 1 July 2026. Actiris is preparing to absorb a massive influx of re-registrations from March 2026, in anticipation of the transition.

Furthermore, reinforced control of under-25s comes into force on 1 March 2026: young people in integration stages will need to demonstrate active job searching or face early suspension.

Social dialogue blocked

In June 2025, marking one year without government, Brupartners identified 10 urgent measures, including an "Employment Task Force" to address the reform's impacts. Despite the 2025 Social Summit, dialogue between social partners and the government remains structurally limited: Brupartners' opinions do not find a counterpart authorised to legislate.

What continues to function

• Actiris: registration, guidance, matching, monthly statistics
• Bruxelles Formation and VDAB Brussel: existing training programmes maintained
• Integration contract: existing programme for young people under 25
• Youth Guarantee: Actiris commitment to young jobseekers

The impact on CPAS

People excluded from unemployment benefits will turn to CPAS to obtain the Social Integration Income (RIS). At the end of 2025, 20,038 Brussels jobseekers (20.7%) were already registered with the CPAS. Federal compensation is degressive: 100% in the first year, 75% in the fourth. Brussels CPAS describe the situation as "the calm before the storm".

Why this matters

Employment is the primary determinant of quality of life. With an unemployment rate of 15.4% (Dec. 2025) — the highest of Belgium's three Regions — and a federal reform that excludes 42,000 over 18 months (Actiris estimate), Brussels needs a strong regional political response. In caretaker mode, that response cannot come.