Brussels is still waiting for a government, but things are not slowing down. In the shadow of the institutional negotiations, certain structures are continuing to play their part. Brupartners is one of them. At this large consultation table, debate, negotiation and construction take place.
In the previous issue of our magazine, we hoped to write today: "Good news, Brussels has a government!" Wrong. Still no captain at the helm of the Region. However, in the capital, social dialogue is not standing still in the face of political inertia. For years, Brupartners (and the thematic councils it houses) has been the Brussels-Capital Region's major forum for economic and social dialogue. It brings together employers, small businesses, the middle class, the non-profit sector, trade unions and representatives of civil society to discuss the major issues facing the Region. Economic development & employment, environment & mobility, housing, diversity... Institutional uncertainty or not — the work continues, with or without a government.
You might think that, without a stable political framework, these discussions would go nowhere. But this is not the case. Social consultation does not wait for a ministerial signature to exist. Quite the contrary, and Beci has been taking part for years in order to represent the voice of Brussels businesses.
Meanwhile at Brupartners
While Brussels still awaits the formation of a new government, Brupartners continues its work. This is not the first time that the Region has been caught in an institutional limbo, and it probably won't be the last. It is precisely in these moments of uncertainty that the Economic and Social Council of the Brussels-Capital Region proves its usefulness. Exchanges continue, discussions move forward and decisions are prepared. In the shadow of institutional debates, key files continue to make progress.
What does the future hold for the Audi site? What are the implications of a reformed regional development plan for businesses in Brussels? What are the implications for micro-businesses following the introduction of ETS II? What direction should the next regional mobility plan take? These and many other questions are the focus of discussions at Brupartners. Is politics taking its time? Perhaps. But when the next government takes office (because it will one day), it will find ready-made proposals and solutions on the table.
Where differences meet
Although it is easy to divide the economic world and the trade unions, or companies and employees, Brussels calls for a broader perspective. In times of uncertainty, the Region's driving forces have chosen to work together, over and above their ideological differences. Following the social partners' ‘Ras-le-gouvernement!’ manifesto denouncing the government's inaction, Beci and the FGTB have co-signed an open letter addressed to Brussels informateurs.
'Brussels must remain a bustling city!', and for a long time to come', the letter reads. This is an appeal not to let institutional deadlock put the brakes on economic and social momentum. Companies, workers and residents are paying the price. For the social partners, standing still was not an option: ‘Brussels must live up to its title as Europe's great capital: multicultural, dynamic, lively, innovative and safe’, pointed out Beci and the FGTB.
We had hoped to be able to tell you about a newly-formed government. This is not yet the case. But what is certain is that Brussels is not standing still. As long as structures like Brupartners exist, the Brussels-Capital Region will continue moving forward. And that, in the end, is perhaps the best guarantee we have for the future.
