The drop in passenger demand linked to the Covid-19 crisis forced all the passenger airlines with a crew base in Belgium (ABB, BCY, BEL, JAF, RYR) to stop operations for several weeks. As a consequence, crews and sometimes office employees have been forced into Temporary Unemployment due to Force Majeure (“chômage temporaire pour force majeure/tijdelijke werkloosheid wegens overmacht”).

Even if it is obvious that this is for economical reasons (drop in bookings and rise of cancellations), airlines were allowed to implement Temporary Unemployment due to Force Majeure (TUFM) instead of economical unemployment since exceptional and immediate measures were needed for their survival. The procedure for the employer is simplified and accelerated, and for the employee, there is no waiting period to receive unemployment benefits. During the period of temporary unemployment, the employment contract is suspended, not terminated.

What should I do to receive unemployment benefits?

Given the exceptional circumstances and the high number of new cases, the National Employment Office ONEM/RVA has issued a simplified procedure (FR, NL), which remains valid until 30 June. The usual C1 and C3.2-EMPLOYEE documents have been replaced by a single document C3.2-EMPLOYEE-CORONA (FR, NL).

You might have received from your employer the C3.2A control card. Please note that you do NOT need to fill in this card. Indeed, at the end of the month, the employer will send an electronic document summarizing the days of unemployment to your payment organisation (union or Unemployment Benefits Fund CAPAC/HVW).

Hence, the only document you have to fill in is the C3.2-EMPLOYEE-CORONA (FR, NL), which you must then send to your union or CAPAC/HVW. Some unions also allow you to fill it in electronically on their website.

How much will I receive?

• The amount is usually 65% of the monthly gross salary. It has now been raised to 70% due to exceptional circumstances.
• Since the monthly gross salary is capped at 2.754,76€, the monthly unemployment benefit paid by ONEM/RVA is 1.928,33€ gross.
• The government decided to exceptionally allocate another 5,63€/day (±150€/month).
• As a member of the aviation Joint Committee PC315.02, your company will pay you 9,40€/day.
• They will also pay, per 50€ above the 2.754,76€ limit, an extra 0,94€ per day of unemployment.
• It is important to note that there are 6 days of unemployment in a week (Saturdays are included).

Important note: all those amounts are gross and the ONEM/RVA will only deduct 26,75% of income tax. Since the unemployment benefits are added to your other yearly income, they will be taxed at 50% + additional local tax in your annual tax declaration next year. You can expect to have to refund next year roughly a third of the money you receive this year from ONEM/RVA! The government announced that an advanced monthly payment of 1.450€ will be paid to new entrants since they expect some delay in the handling of the hundreds of thousands of new cases.

You will find hereunder some FAQs, but don’t hesitate to contact the BeCA office or your BeCA/union delegate if you need assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

I had already sent the C1 and C3.2-EMPLOYEE documents. Do I need to submit the C3.2-EMPLOYEE-CORONA?

No, your file will automatically be converted into a “corona” file.

Do I need to fill in and submit a C3.2A document?

No, this is not necessary for temporary unemployment during the months of March, April, May and June.

I am new in the company. Am I immediately entitled to unemployment benefits?

Yes. In case of temporary unemployment due to force majeure, the usual waiting period is not applicable.

How much will ONEM/RVA pay me?

Enter the number of unemployment days and your gross salary in the Excel sheet here. Awaiting precise computations, a payment of 1.450€ will be made at the end of the month to avoid any delay.

I had annual leaves planned in the period of temporary unemployment? Will ONEM/RVA or the employer pay them?

Planned annual leaves cannot be changed into temporary unemployment. The employer will pay them at the normal salary.

Can I change a planned day of temporary unemployment into a day of annual leave or a bank holiday or a recuperation day?

The employer cannot force you to take all your remaining days off, but you can request it.

What will be the first day of my period of temporary unemployment?

Crew members have irregular schedules and starting date will vary. Your first day of unemployment will be the first day with a cancelled duty (flight, training, standby….) after the company decided to implement temporary unemployment (usually the day it stopped all operations).

Can the employer change a planned day off (weekly rest) into temporary unemployment?

No. Crew members have irregular schedules. If a day off (weekend) was planned before the start of the period of unemployment, it will be paid by your employer.

Can the employer change a standby into temporary unemployment?

Yes, at the latest the day before the standby but not retroactively.

What should I do if I fall sick?

Inform your payment organisation and your sickness fund, which will pay you sickness benefits.

Can I work during days of temporary unemployment?

Until the end of June, some activities (as a volunteer or remunerated) are allowed without impact on your unemployment benefits. Contact ONEM/RVA to know which activities are allowed. Bear in mind that you might need prior company approval.

Has temporary unemployment an influence on my pension?

No, it is considered as a working day for the pension benefits computation.

Has temporary unemployment an influence on the number of annual leaves for next year?

Normally the number of annual leaves for next year should be reduced pro-rata. However, given the exceptional circumstances, the government might decide to consider it as a working day. Such derogation had been given after the terrorist attacks in 2016.

Has temporary unemployment an influence on the payment of the holiday pay (“pécule de vacances/vakantiegeld”)?

No, it is considered as a working day.

Has temporary unemployment an influence on the employer’s contribution to my pension fund (group insurance)?

Yes, your contract and its associated benefits are suspended during the period of unemployment.

Has temporary unemployment an influence on permanent or temporary loss of licence insurance?

No, provided you were sick before the start of the period of unemployment. If you fall sick during a period of unemployment, your working contract including the loss of licence insurance is already suspended. If you subscribed to a personal LOL insurance, check the terms and conditions of the contract to know if it is suspended or not.