The FGTB today > A representative trade union
A representative trade union

With nearly 1,200,000 members, the FGTB acts to defend the rights of all workers. It is present in all industrial, economic, government and social sectors. At the heart of both public services and private enterprise, within the trading and non-trading sectors, amongst economic-oriented or non-trading undertakings, in major companies and small and medium-sized undertakings, in the service of every worker and every job-seeker, within every region and province in Belgium.

The FGTB also represents those who are excluded, the most deprived, migrant workers, women, the retired and the early retired, those seeking work.

The FGTB represents workers in a large number of economic and social institutions. These include:

National Labour Council

Consultative council on all employment questions. It enters into collective bargaining agreements.

Central Economic Council

Consultative council on all economic and organisational questions on the national and international economy

Higher Council on Preventive Measures and Protection at Work

Consultative council on all questions relating to preventive measures and protection at work.

Joint Committees

Co-determination bodies involved in negotiation and the conclusion of sectoral accords on salaries and working conditions (CBA - collective bargaining agreements). The joint committees are also conciliation bodies in cases of disputes.

Consumer organisations' research and information centres (CRIOC)

The FGTB plays a role as a consumer defence organisation.

Supervisory Committee for Gas and Electricity

A committee ensuring compliance with the general interest in matters regarding gas and electricity

Index Committee

Committee that calculates the monthly consumer prices index. This index has an effect on pay and social security benefits

Federal Council on Scientific Policy

Consultative council on all questions of scientific policy.

Federal Council for Sustainable Development

Consultative council on the entire Belgian State's policy on sustainable development

Equal Opportunities Council

Consultative council on equal opportunities between men and women.

Industrial Accidents Fund

Semi-governmental social security institution in charge of supervising industrial accident insurers 

Occupational disease

Semi-governmental social security institution in charge of insurance against occupational disease and which compensates victims.

National Institute of Invalidity and Sickness Insurance (INAMI),

Social security institution in charge of paying benefits for sickness and health care

National Social Security Office (ONSS)

Body that collects social security contributions.

National Employment Office (ONEm)

Department that awards unemployment benefit

National Office for Annual Holidays (ONVA),

Social security office that administrates annual holidays for manual workers.

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