While the changes may seem limited on paper, in practice they have a broad impact on both workers and employers within these specific sectors.
The Joint Committee 140 took an important step in improving the employment conditions for employees in the taxi sector and the sector for renting vehicles with drivers. Four new collective labor agreements (CAOs) were signed, each with specific focuses that embody the implementation of the 2023-2024 social agreement.
The first collective labor agreement introduces a new indexation formula that comes into effect on January 1 each year. This formula adjusts a number of compensation and social benefits based on inflation and other economic factors. The collective labor agreement thus strengthens the Social Fund for taxi companies and the services for renting vehicles with drivers, which benefits the financial stability for workers.
The second collective labor agreement, which comes into effect on the same day as the signing, concerns eco vouchers. From January 2024, workers will receive eco vouchers worth 250 euros, provided they have worked full-time and fully in 2023. These vouchers can be reclaimed from the Social Fund from July after they have been issued. It is worth noting that even employees who have left or will leave the company in 2023 are also eligible for the increased amount.
The third agreement elaborates on the right to time credit and introduces the concept of a 'runway' for older workers. In addition, time credit will be extended for employees who have specific motives for this, such as caring responsibilities or retraining.
The fourth collective labor agreement focuses on training. Employees in companies with more than 10 employees are given an individual right to training, and this is extended even further in companies with more than 20 employees. The Social Fund will provide additional financial support for language training and testing, especially for drivers who still have to meet certain language requirements. The fund will contribute to the costs up to a maximum of 300 euros per training day per employee involved.
However, it is noteworthy that the former collective labor agreement on gift vouchers expired on December 31, 2022 and has not been extended. This means that employers no longer have to pay a gift voucher of 35 euros to employees with 2 years of seniority at New Year's Eve.
The full texts of the new collective labor agreements will soon be available on the website of the Joint Committee and the Social Fund, where more details on the application and reimbursement procedures for the language courses will also be published.
