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The Belgian economy is a typical consultative economy, historically grown and ramified. At various levels there are continuous collective negotiations between the social partners (trade unions and organized employers). The trade unions, the mouthpiece of the workers, play an essential part in these negotiations. The ACV/CSC and the LBC NVK are therefore strongly represented in the various consultation bodies. Social dialogue in Belgium are held at three levels: - at nation wide level
- at branch level
- at company level
The outlines for the evolution of wages and conditions of employment in Belgium are laid down in an inter-professional agreement every two years. National and sectoral consultation  | That national framework is then fleshed out further on a sectoral level – often with significant differences. This results in sectoral collective labour agreements that are binding for the entire sector. The sectoral consultation occurs in approximately 100 sectoral joint committees. Employer and employee representatives have equal mandates within these committees. The committees also mediate during conflicts within companies from the sector. |
Company level At company level, employers and employee representatives conclude agreements about wages and conditions of employment in consultation. Employee representatives are elected by their colleagues during social elections held every four years. In terms of the number of elected representatives, ACV is also the largest trade union in Belgium, with roughly 55% of mandates. The socialist trade union ABVV is next with approximately 35%. Representatives
Within LBC-NVK, elected representatives determine the direction. These committed volunteers are represented up to the highest bodies of LBC-NVK. From the trade union reality of their company, they move through to sectoral interest groups, the Governing Council, the Committee or the Daily Management Board. This allows LBC-NVK to keep a finger on the pulse of the work floor. The president of LBC-NVK is also a representive.  | The LBC NVK fosters and nourishes the already mentioned hinge function of the represtatives by means of a careful training. The training department of the LBC NVK offers the representative the opportunity to trace out a ’training career’ tailored to the position of the representative in the company, the experience already acquired and personal knowledge and interest. |
Social elections
 | Every four years social elections are organized in the companies. The white collar non manual workers and/or managerial staff elect their representatives. Naturally, the socialist and liberal trade unions also take part in these elections. During four years those elected are legally protected against dismissal, so that they can accomplish their tasks in the best possible circumstances. The LBC NVK representatives are strongly represented in the bodies. At company level many representatives are active in the Ondernemingsraad (OR-works council), the Comité voor Preventie en Bescherming op het Werk (CPBW-safety and health committee) and the Vakbondsafvaardiging (VA-trade union delegation). The next social elections will take place in may 2012. |
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