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🇧🇪 Belgium /Economy & Trade

Flemish pilots seek independence over pension disputes

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A group of Flemish pilots is seeking to establish an independent pilot service, moving away from the current government-controlled entity.
  • They aim to work as independent contractors to manage their own pensions, citing dissatisfaction with recent federal pension reforms.
  • The initiative, named Vlaamse Loodswezen, plans to take over 20% of pilotage services by 2027, but faces accusations from a union of attempting to break the pilots' right to strike.

A dozen Flemish pilots are planning to break away from the official Flemish Pilotage Service and establish their own independent pilot service, Vlaamse Loodswezen. The pilots, who currently operate as civil servants, wish to transition to independent contractor status to gain control over their own pension plans. This move comes in response to recent federal pension reforms that have reportedly impacted their benefits.

The initiative aims to take over approximately 20% of the pilotage services currently managed by the Dienst Afzonderlijk Beheer (DAB) Loodswezen by 2027. These services are crucial for guiding large vessels in and out of Flemish ports, primarily via the Western Scheldt. The pilots involved are experienced mariners who board ships to take control of navigation.

The port, the entire society, and the economy are being held hostage by a group that wants to defend rights that have nothing to do with the job.

— Thierry VanelslanderA transport economist commenting on the situation.

While pilots are known for receiving relatively high pensions compared to other civil servants, the proposed reforms have prompted this group to seek greater autonomy. By operating as independent contractors under the new Vlaamse Loodswezen, they hope to have more control over their working hours and reduce their dependence on political decisions. To launch the private service, they require 49 members, representing about one-sixth of the total number of pilots.

However, the plan has drawn criticism from the ACOD union, which accuses Flemish Minister of Ports Annick De Ridder of supporting the initiative to undermine the pilots' right to strike. Union representative Geert Dermaut stated that "one is trying to break the pilots' right to strike." While the pilots' initiative claims the idea originated from De Ridder's office, the minister's cabinet and the Maritime Services and Coast division have denied any involvement. The Antwerp port authority, however, has expressed support for the plans.

One is trying to break the pilots' right to strike. The rigid political attitude of recent months now gets an explanation.

— Geert Dermaut (ACOD)A union representative accusing the minister of undermining strike rights.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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