11-02-10 Federal Government Crisis Measures
Throughout Belgium, the number of unemployed persons entitled to benefits increased by 6.9% (an increase of 26 485 persons). Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Work, Joëlle Milquet recently took notice of these figures and reaffirms her opinion that the currently imposed crisis measures are successful in countering the crisis.
New figures
January 28th, new figures on the number of unemployed person who received benefits in 2009 from the NEO - National Employment Office were released. The figures show an increase of 6.9% throughout Belgium on a yearly basis. This is less than in November, when the difference compared to the same month in the previous year was 10.3%. In December of 2009, 412 738 jobseekers received NEO benefits. Like the previous months, this increase is not spread evenly over the three regions:
- + 13.4% in the Flemish Region
- + 2,9% in the Walloon Region
- + 5% in Brussels, the capital Region
Expected decrease
Between December 2009 and November 2009, the number of jobseekers who receive benefits decreased by 7.8%. This decrease is not unexpected but considering that this decrease is more significant than the decrease between December en November of 2008, it can perhaps yet be seen as a hopeful sign. And it is a sign that can be seen throughout the country:
- - 10.7% in the Flemish Region
- - 4.4% in the Walloon Region
- - 10.2% in Brussels, the capital Region
Temporary unemployment works
Looked at on a yearly basis, the number of unemployed persons increased from 153 947 to 163 453. However, monthly figures show a decrease by 43 587 persons. According to Milquet, the consequences of the crisis can be slowed down by means of the anti-crisis measures. E.g. December counted 6 291 white collar workers placed on temporary unemployment. In November that number was still up to 8 910. December counted an average of 5.6 days on which labour contracts were temporarily suspended.
Young unemployed persons
In December 2009, the number of unemployed persons younger than 25 receiving NEO benefits, increased by 8,9% compared to the previous year. This increase can also be seen throughout the country:
- + 20,2% in the Flemish Region
- + 4,6% in the Walloon Region
- + 2.1% in Brussels, the capital Region
But again, these numbers showed a decrease between November and December of 2009. Here, a decrease of 11.1%.
