Qu'est-ce que Collective Agreement ?

Definition

A collective agreement (CCT — Convention Collective de Travail / Collectieve Arbeidsovereenkomst) is a written agreement negotiated between one or more employer organisations and one or more representative trade unions, establishing employment conditions — wages, working hours, leave, benefits, and other rights — that apply to all workers within its scope.

In practice

Belgium has one of the most developed systems of collective bargaining in Europe, operating at three levels: interprofessional (National Labour Council — CNT/NAR), sectoral (Joint Committees — Commissions Paritaires), and company level. The approximately 220 sectoral joint commissions cover virtually all private sector workers in Belgium, each with its own collective agreements on wages, classification, training rights, and other conditions. Key examples include CP200 (white-collar workers in non-specific sectors), CP308 (temporary work agencies), and CP118 (food industry). CCTs negotiated at the sectoral level automatically apply to all employers and employees in that sector — even those not affiliated with the signatory organisations. Company-level CCTs can supplement (but generally cannot reduce) the sectoral minimum standards.

Key takeaway

Understanding the applicable collective agreement is essential for any Belgian employer — it defines minimum wages, classification levels, training rights, and notice periods that cannot be contracted away.