In the coming months, SERV is working on an advice concerning better regulation, the cutting of red tape and the improvement of the practical implementation of Flemish legislation. SERV is doing so on demand of the Flemish government. Moreover, SERV will also focus on new ways of regulation such as experimental legislation, exemptions from complying with certain legislation (in so-called freezones, through the use of green deals or innovation waivers), simpler and more flexible legislation with fewer specific regulations (i.e. less detail) and the use of non-compulsory policy instruments.

Flemish investment companies such as PMV, LRM and VPM play an important role in the development of the Flemish economy. They invest huge amounts of public funds, according to SERV-calculations 385 million euros in financial fixed assets in 2013. Therefore social partners claim that these companies should work in full transparency and within the framework of an explicit governmental vision with focus on societal challenges. To make this possible, social partners ask that the scope of action of these investment companies should be clearly outlined, that it is aimed at Flemish enterprises and that the selection of administrators is done on the basis of knowhow and experience. Finally, social partners suggest that public investment companies yearly publish detailed reports of their realizations in the same way stock market listed companies are obliged to do.

SERV has various objections concerning the soon to be created Flemish Advisory council for Enterprise and Innovation (VARIO). 

First SERV is concerned about the very broad area of activities for the council that carries a risk of overlapping. Therefor its activities and tasks should be better aligned with the other Flemish councils and committees. At the same time long term strategic framework for scientific research, technological development and innovation can remediate eventual duplication of work.

Next SERV claims that VARIO should become a transparent council with a year program, an annual report and public advices, composed by genuine independent national and international experts.

Finally, SERV appreciates the fact that an extra discussion platform might prove to be an asset in the relation between VARIO and the other institutional stakeholders such as VLIR, SERV…to maximize alignment and complementarity. On condition however that the discussion platform tries to seek a high level of consensus and that the responsible minister communicates in a transparent way in order to motivate the platform on how the advices politically are taken into account.

Flanders should move faster to make its energy system low carbon, if it wants to reach the Flemish climate and energy objectives for 2020 and later. Therefore, The Flemish government started the trajectory “Stroomversnelling?? (acceleration) on the 16th of June 2016.

SERV, the social partners and other civil society organizations signed a declaration of engagement. They all commit themselves to cooperate in the drafting and the implementation of an action plan for energy transition. Moreover, the SERV secretariat is co-chairing the workgroup on financing, thus playing an active role in the trajectory.

End of May SERV brought 3 advices on concept notes of the Flemish government concerning adult learning, higher professional education and the teacher training.

The adult learning system should continue delivering a diverse supply of trainings to a mix of different clients with the focus on the wider social value of lifelong learning.
SERV fears that the integration of the higher professional education (HBO5) in the general higher education system will cause a loss of attraction and agrees that HBO5 should be attractive to all students.

The integration of the teacher training in the higher education system in his turn risks to be detrimental for the in- and outflow of trainers of practical skills. Adult learning and higher education should focus on different target groups, each out of their own know how.

In its advice to the Climate Commission of the Flemish Parliament SERV agrees that both Flemish initiatives “Climate Summit?? and the “Stroomversnelling?? can lead to the aimed transition. At the same time all other ways to tackle climate change should be used, such as promotion of local products and investments in social housing, schools and public transport. In this way social-economic concerns and an effective approach of climate challenges can be reconciled.

NT2-policy stands for learning the Dutch language as a tool for sustainable inclusion in the Flemish society. SERV is applauding the concept note of the Flemish government that is drawing further steps for a stronger and more effective policy, tailormade designed for non-native speakers and guaranteeing qualitative approaches of all NT2-providers. Though SERV is agreeing with the concept note there is need for clarification of some topics and room for formulating some concerns. One of these is giving priority to the regular education system and the schools to anticipate on the needs for NT2. Further on the knowhow and the role of other partners next to the management of the “Inclusion?? should be recognized and deployed.

The Flemish government is at this moment reorganizing the PWA-system (Local Employment Agencies). SERV agrees with the intentions of the government but thinks there are too many uncertainties about the new scheme on neighbourhood work. Clarification is needed regarding the final objectives, the aimed target groups and integration in the existing instruments. SERV agrees that the contingent of 7.291 should not be lost and that social valuable activities should be rooted and implemented on the local level. For this purpose SERV is coming with its own proposal that takes into account the difference between the actual and the future target groups.

Without extra efforts in the housing policy the Flemish energy poverty program will be a drop in the ocean. More investments in social housing are needed to cover the needs of housing, to alleviate the pressure on the private rent market and to increase the energy performance of social residences. Vulnerable families should receive a guaranteed saving of €250 EURO/year if they participate in a tailor-made trajectory aimed at energy saving, cheap providers and if necessary a more appropriate housing. In Flanders some 50.000 families could be convinced to participate in a period of a year. Tackling poverty should be inclusive, tailor-made and concrete if one wishes to unplug energy poverty and at the same time create positive effects on climate, economy and employment.

Having a job is one of the important factors to sustainable and quick inclusion of the recent influx of refugees. The representatives of the Flemish social partners and the Minority Forum in the Diversity Commission are pleading for a flexible and pragmatic approach when guiding the newcomers. The Commission recommends to activate refugees as fast as possible after their arrival and not wait with career orientation until the integration trajectory is finished. Focusing on learning Dutch on the work floor and a language friendly approach are also necessary. Most important is that refugees keep the control of their trajectories as much as possible in their own hands.