Isabelle Vandenbussche

On 28 June 2006, the American pharmaceutical group Ely Lilly [1], based in Indianapolis, announced the closure of three of its European plants: two of its research and development (R&D) centres located in Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium, and in Hamburg, Germany, as well as its production plant in

In Belgium, a total of 270,000 people receive social security [1] benefits, which consist of different financial support systems for those who are retired and unemployed, as well as for the victims of industrial accidents or illness. In order to preserve the nature of the Belgian social security

The paid educational leave system (Congé-éducation payé [1]/Betaald educatief verlof [2]) allows workers to attend training courses during working hours, while still maintaining their job and existing income levels. In 2006, some 71,000 workers took part in the scheme. [1] http://meta.fgov.be/pc/pce

The Fabrique Nationale de Herstal (FN Herstal [1]) was established in the city of Herstal, near Liège in eastern Belgium, in 1889 following an order by the Belgian government to manufacture 150,000 Mauser rifles. Although best known as a firearms manufacturer, FN Herstal was until 1965 also the

In March-April 2005, strike action spread among Belgian prison officers in a dispute which was sparked by a court ruling over recent disorder at one prison, but became a focus for more wide-ranging grievances. Following a number of commitments made by the government, most but not all prison officers

This article gives a brief overview of collective bargaining on changes in work organisation in Belgium, as of September 2004. It looks at: the extent to which collective agreements introduce changes in work organisation that take into account productivity demands, flexibility and security in an