Civil servant status is often associated with job security and envied stability. In Belgium, Jacqueline Galant (MR) wants to remove this status. Could we instead take inspiration from the French model?
Unlike Belgium where appointment is the norm, the recruitment of civil servants in France is based on a competition system. Successful completion of these tests guarantees access to the civil service and employment for life.
As in Belgium, the French civil service offers great job security. Layoffs are rare and economic layoffs are non-existent. In the event of job abolition, civil servants are automatically reclassified. This advantage attracts many candidates each year.
End of the civil service in Belgium?
The Belgian government is considering a civil service reform which would call into question the status of civil servants. Minister Jacqueline Galant (MR) proposes to replace the status of civil servant with permanent contracts (CDI), thus aligning the regime of civil servants with that of the private sector.
This reform raises concerns within unions. Stéphane Jaumonet of the CGSP underlines the importance of civil servant status to guarantee the independence and impartiality of public administration. According to him, the transition to CDI could increase the pressure exerted on civil servants and encourage cronyism.
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civil servants France job security competition civil service reform jacqueline galant CGSP Stéphane Jaumonet CDI
Belgium
