Under which status can you work as a temporary agency worker?
Are you planning to start working through a temporary employment agency? Depending on your situation, different statuses are possible, each with its own conditions and advantages. Below you can discover which status best suits your situation.
Temporary agency worker – blue or white-collar
When you work as an employee in Belgium, a contract is drawn up either as a manual worker (mainly physical labour) or as a white-collar worker (mainly intellectual labour). This historical distinction still exists, although for years there has been talk of a possible merger of both statuses.
Temporary agency worker – student
Is your main activity studying? Then you can work under this status if you:
- Are at least 15 years old and have completed the first two years of full-time secondary education (whether you passed or not);
- Are enrolled in full-time education;
- Only work at times when you are not required to attend school.
Keep in mind that exceptions exist and that each sector may impose additional obligations. For this, you can always consult your payroll expert.
If you work more than 650 hours per year, you are considered a regular temporary agency worker, and full social security contributions apply.
More information about student employment can be found on Student@work, the online service of the social security system.
Temporary agency worker – flexi-jobber
Would you like to earn some extra income in addition to your main job? This is possible under certain conditions and in specific sectors. Working as a flexi-jobber via a temporary employment agency is only possible if:
- You have a full-time (or at least 4/5) job (this condition is verified in the previous quarter) or if you are retired;
- You are not working as a flexi-jobber for your current employer;
- The company where you work is active in one of the approved sectors.
Advantage: as a flexi-jobber you can earn extra income in a tax- and contribution-friendly way. On your salary, you do not pay regular social contributions, only a limited solidarity contribution. As a result, you keep more net income compared to a temporary agency contract as a regular manual or white-collar worker.
Not sure whether you qualify to work as a flexi-jobber? You can check this at the start of each new quarter via MyCareer.
Temporary agency worker – occasional worker (= “extra”)
This status exists only in the hospitality sector and is intended to cover peak periods. Employment under this status also comes with reduced wage deductions. Anyone can work under this status, but certain conditions apply:
- You do not work more than two consecutive days as an extra;
- You do not work more than 50 days per year under this status;
- The company you work for may employ extras for a maximum of 200 days per year.
Do you still have questions?
Feel free to contact us. Our payroll experts will be happy to assist you.