Belgium's pay gap set to shrink

It will soon cost companies less to employ Belgium-based staff as the country’s pay gap with its three biggest neighbours is set to fall in 2014.

The annual report of the Central Business Council (CRB) shows that Belgium’s salary gap will be reduced from 2012’s average of +4.8% to +3.5%.

The drop is good news for companies with competitors in Germany, France and the Netherlands, all countries where it is cheaper to employ workers. But many say that the gap is still too big, claiming that Belgium remains unequal on the playing field when it comes to business.

The unions disagree with that notion, arguing that the figures cited by employers are inflated, and that the current percentage does not account for large government subsidies doled out to support businesses.