2% pay increase for many workers
A two percent rise in prices has triggered across the board increases in benefits and public sector wages. Â Some private sector wages including many in the non-profit sector too will go up as a result.
Benefits and pensions rise by 2% in March. Public sector wages go up by a similar amount in April. Workers in health care professions too can expect a rise. The index rises were triggered a month earlier than expected. August 2018 was the last time that benefits and wages were topped up by 2%. Belgium’s unique index system ensures that the value of benefits and public sector wages keeps steep with price rises by taking account of inflation. The index rise is triggered every time a basket of products and services rises by 2%.
In January inflation stood at 1.41%. It’s above all alcohol, flowers and plants that became more expensive. Fuel became cheaper.