Kelley Drye & Warren LLP (JD Supra Belgium)

The Brussels Employment Tribunal upheld the immunity from jurisdiction of an international organization in a judgment dated 10 January 2018 (unpublished to date). This judgment differentiates itself from a certain trend in the Belgian case law which for some years has been adopting a fairly restrictive approach towards immunities of international organizations in labour matters.

As of 15 February 2018, a multitude of new rules apply to local staff of embassies and diplomatic missions in Belgium. This change does not impact the staff of international organizations, contrary to what trade unions are stating. For diplomatic missions, taking appropriate action to implement this legislative change is important.

As of 15 February 2018, a multitude of new rules apply to “local staff” of diplomatic and consular missions in Belgium, including permanent missions and representations to international organizations having their seat in Belgium. The application of these new rules was triggered by a legislative change which enlarged the scope of application of the Belgian law of 5 December 1968 on Collective...

The Good Offices Commission, better known under its French name “Commission de Bons Offices”, has developed model work rules and a model employment agreement for local staff of diplomatic missions. Although both the Commission and the Protocol Directorate have been recommending the use of these models, they are not necessarily in the best interest of a diplomatic mission.

The Protocol Directorate of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued two new Circular Notes with information on the procedure to follow in case of loss or theft of a special identity card or a special residence permit held by diplomatic agents, staff members of an international organization and their family members.