Qu'est-ce que ONEM — National Employment Office ?

Definition

ONEM (Office National de l'Emploi / Rijksdienst voor Arbeidsvoorziening — RVA) is the Belgian federal agency responsible for administering unemployment insurance — determining eligibility, calculating benefit amounts, and managing payment through affiliated trade union bodies (FGTB, CSC, CGSLB) or the auxiliary fund (CAPAC). It also oversees job-seeker availability obligations.

In practice

ONEM's core functions include: determining benefit eligibility based on reference period working day conditions; setting benefit calculation rules (percentage of previous salary, decreasing over time); establishing and enforcing active availability obligations (registered job seekers must actively seek work, respond to suitable offers, and cooperate with regional employment services); and managing specific employment support measures (educational leave — congé-éducation payé, time credit — crédit-temps, career break). ONEM works in close coordination with the three regional employment services (VDAB, FOREM, Actiris) who handle job placement and training — a division between federal benefit management and regional employment activation that is sometimes complex in practice. ONEM can sanction job seekers who fail to comply with availability obligations, including temporary or permanent benefit reduction. Employers must notify ONEM about certain dismissals and cooperate with reemployment obligations in mass redundancy situations.

Key takeaway

ONEM manages the benefit side of Belgian unemployment — understanding its rules is essential for anyone navigating a job loss, career break, or transition in Belgium.