10,238 sanctions were imposed: a third more than a year earlier. This concerns both temporary (more than 8,000) and permanent (1,575) suspensions. In the event of a permanent suspension, the jobseeker loses his right to unemployment benefits.
In addition, more than 11,000 warnings were also issued to job seekers. This allows VDAB to adjust the search behavior of a jobseeker during the mediation process for a job. In addition, 2,574 young people received a negative evaluation during their professional integration period.
The most common reason for submitting a file to the inspection service is not responding to a registered appointment: this is the case in 74 percent of the files. Eleven percent of the files submitted concern a negative assessment of the job-seeking behavior of a school-leaver during the vocational integration period.
Checking job seekers is not an end in itself, according to the VDAB. “It is essential that mediation remains central. A sanction is a means in the activation process and not an end in itself.”
