Conner Rousseau proposed earlier this week to offer people a basic job if they are out of work for two years. Those who refuse to do so would lose their unemployment benefits.
In De Zevende Dag, the proposal could count on the approval of Vlaams Belang. “As far as we are concerned, the proposal is negotiable,” said Reccino Van Lommel. “But it is yet another balloon that is released to reach the press. We say: after two years the benefits will stop, with the exception of people over fifty, informal carers and people who are undergoing training.”
Open VLD chairman Egbert Lachaert showed less understanding. “I wonder who’s going to pay for those basic jobs,” he said. Lachaert also pointed out that the benefit can already be stopped today. “If the VDAB offers you a job that is suitable and you refuse, you can be suspended.”
Bouchez noted that Vooruit seems to be rehashing old proposals from MR. “We find that the socialist family no longer exists,” he said. “Vooruit is managed by Bart De Wever and the PS by Raoul Hedebouw. If Vooruit is no longer welcome in the PS building, they are welcome with us.”
Finally, Peter Mertens of PVDA suggested looking at the outflow rather than the inflow when it comes to shortage occupations. “19,000 qualified healthcare professionals have left healthcare. On May 1, we would better look at the humanization of labor and remuneration.”
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