Social secretariat in West Flanders, city by city
For a social secretariat in West Flanders, Business Centrum works from Ghent, with Acerta as the recognised social secretariat. We run the staff administration of employers in Kortrijk, Waregem, Roeselare, Tielt, Bruges and Ostend, almost entirely remotely. For each city you read which sectors carry weight, which joint committee they fall under and what the official figures say.
West Flanders in figures
West Flanders has 1,235,671 inhabitants and 149,492 VAT-registered businesses. Almost every workplace with employees is small: 34,132 of 35,823 have fewer than 50. Manufacturing weighs more than in East Flanders: it provides 17.4% of all jobs, against 14.3% in East Flanders. In the private sector there are almost as many blue-collar as white-collar workers, so a company often deals with two joint committees.
Sectors in West Flanders and their joint committee
Six sectors shape staff administration in the province. Your joint committee depends on your activity and on the status of your people: blue-collar and white-collar staff often each have their own committee, with their own pay scales and bonuses. For each sector you find the guide or the pay scale.
| Sector | In West Flanders | Blue-collar | White-collar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food manufacturing | 20,681 jobs | JC 118 | JC 220 |
| Textiles, clothing and leather | 8,492 jobs | JC 120 | JC 214 |
| Furniture and woodworking | 416 VAT-registered furniture makers | JC 126 | JC 200 |
| Hospitality | 19,435 jobs, 9,274 VAT-registered businesses | JC 302 | JC 302 |
| Farming and horticulture | 9,458 VAT-registered businesses | JC 144 (farming), JC 145 (horticulture) | JC 200 |
| Ports of Zeebrugge, Ostend and Nieuwpoort | 6,053 jobs in transport and storage, Bruges district | JC 301.05 (dock workers) | by activity, often JC 226 in logistics |
What is different in West Flanders: provincial agreements
Your joint committee depends on your activity, not on your address. Even so, some committees sign a collective agreement per province. For employers in West Flanders, these two matter most:
Metalworking, JC 111
Blue-collar workers in metalworking in West Flanders have their own agreement on the end-of-year bonus. To qualify, the worker must have actually worked 60 working days in the reference period. The 2026 bonus is paid by 31 January 2027 at the latest. Read how to calculate the end-of-year bonus in JC 111.
Plastics, JC 116
Plastics processing in West Flanders has a provincial agreement that runs until 31 March 2027. The end-of-year bonus of blue-collar workers there is 174 times the December base hourly wage, on a 40-hour week. Read the end-of-year bonus in JC 116.
City and district of Kortrijk
Payroll in Kortrijk
Kortrijk has 81,523 inhabitants and 10,132 VAT-registered businesses. The Kortrijk district is the textile heart of the province: 4,150 of the 8,492 jobs in textiles, clothing and leather in West Flanders are here, or 48.9%. Of the 416 VAT-registered furniture makers in the province, 121 have their head office in the district. Manufacturing provides 23,668 of its 123,939 jobs.
| Figure | Value | Reference date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population of Kortrijk | 81,523 | Statbel: Statbel, Structuur van de bevolking: bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2026 | |
| VAT-registered businesses with head office in Kortrijk | 10,132 | Statbel: Statbel, open data: btw-plichtige ondernemingen volgens rechtsvorm en gemeente, 2025 | |
| Workplaces with employees in the Kortrijk district | 8,568 | NSSO: RSZ, Verdeling van de arbeidsplaatsen naar plaats van tewerkstelling, 31 december 2024 | |
| Employee jobs in the Kortrijk district | 123,939 | NSSO: RSZ, Verdeling van de arbeidsplaatsen naar plaats van tewerkstelling, 31 december 2024 | |
| Employee jobs in textiles, clothing and leather, Kortrijk district | 4,150 | NSSO: RSZ, Verdeling van de arbeidsplaatsen naar plaats van tewerkstelling, 31 december 2024 |
In practice
A textile company works with two committees: JC 120 for blue-collar workers and JC 214 for white-collar staff. A furniture maker falls under JC 126 for its blue-collar workers and usually under JC 200 for its white-collar staff.
City of Waregem, Kortrijk district
Payroll in Waregem
Waregem has 40,737 inhabitants and 5,210 VAT-registered businesses. More textile companies have their head office here than in Kortrijk itself: 59 against 50. Trade (895 businesses) and construction (784) are the largest groups.
Waregem belongs to the Kortrijk district. The figures on employers and jobs are under Kortrijk.
| Figure | Value | Reference date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population of Waregem | 40,737 | Statbel: Statbel, Structuur van de bevolking: bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2026 | |
| VAT-registered businesses with head office in Waregem | 5,210 | Statbel: Statbel, open data: btw-plichtige ondernemingen volgens rechtsvorm en gemeente, 2025 | |
| VAT-registered businesses in textile manufacturing, Waregem | 59 | Statbel: Statbel, open data: btw-plichtige ondernemingen volgens rechtsvorm en gemeente, 2025 | |
| VAT-registered businesses in trade, Waregem | 895 | Statbel: Statbel, open data: btw-plichtige ondernemingen volgens rechtsvorm en gemeente, 2025 | |
| VAT-registered businesses in construction, Waregem | 784 | Statbel: Statbel, open data: btw-plichtige ondernemingen volgens rechtsvorm en gemeente, 2025 |
In practice
In trade, your committee depends on what you sell and to whom: a shop often falls under JC 201, a wholesaler under JC 200 for its white-collar staff. A construction firm falls under JC 124 for its blue-collar workers.
City and district of Roeselare
Payroll in Roeselare
Roeselare has 67,697 inhabitants and 8,042 VAT-registered businesses. The Roeselare district runs on food: food manufacturing provides 4,885 of its 73,566 jobs, or 6.6%, against 4.6% across West Flanders. On top of that, 185 farms and horticulture businesses in the district employ staff.
| Figure | Value | Reference date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population of Roeselare | 67,697 | Statbel: Statbel, Structuur van de bevolking: bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2026 | |
| VAT-registered businesses with head office in Roeselare | 8,042 | Statbel: Statbel, open data: btw-plichtige ondernemingen volgens rechtsvorm en gemeente, 2025 | |
| Workplaces with employees in the Roeselare district | 4,866 | NSSO: RSZ, Verdeling van de arbeidsplaatsen naar plaats van tewerkstelling, 31 december 2024 | |
| Employee jobs in the Roeselare district | 73,566 | NSSO: RSZ, Verdeling van de arbeidsplaatsen naar plaats van tewerkstelling, 31 december 2024 | |
| Employee jobs in food and drink manufacturing, Roeselare district | 4,885 | NSSO: RSZ, Verdeling van de arbeidsplaatsen naar plaats van tewerkstelling, 31 december 2024 |
In practice
In food manufacturing, blue-collar workers fall under JC 118 and white-collar staff under JC 220. On the land you work with JC 144 for farming or JC 145 for horticulture, often with seasonal workers.
City and district of Tielt
Payroll in Tielt
Since its merger with Meulebeke, Tielt has 31,973 inhabitants and 4,335 VAT-registered businesses, of which 493 are in farming and horticulture: 11.4%, against 6.3% in the province. No Belgian district is as industrial as Tielt: 37.4% of its jobs are in manufacturing, with 3,357 in textiles, clothing and leather and 3,046 in food manufacturing.
| Figure | Value | Reference date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population of Tielt | 31,973 | Statbel: Statbel, Structuur van de bevolking: bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2026 | |
| VAT-registered businesses with head office in Tielt | 4,335 | Statbel: Statbel, open data: btw-plichtige ondernemingen volgens rechtsvorm en gemeente, 2025 | |
| Workplaces with employees in the Tielt district | 2,978 | NSSO: RSZ, Verdeling van de arbeidsplaatsen naar plaats van tewerkstelling, 31 december 2024 | |
| Employee jobs in the Tielt district | 33,430 | NSSO: RSZ, Verdeling van de arbeidsplaatsen naar plaats van tewerkstelling, 31 december 2024 | |
| Employee jobs in manufacturing, Tielt district | 12,488 | NSSO: RSZ, Verdeling van de arbeidsplaatsen naar plaats van tewerkstelling, 31 december 2024 |
In practice
In the private sector, the district has more blue-collar than white-collar workers: 17,514 against 11,973. For blue-collar workers, the bonuses, shift work and end-of-year bonus of their own committee are what count.
City and district of Bruges
Payroll in Bruges
Bruges has 120,458 inhabitants and 13,848 VAT-registered businesses, of which 1,268 are in hospitality: 9.2%, against 6.2% in the province. In the Bruges district, 7,438 people work in hospitality, spread over 1,330 workplaces. Transport and storage, with the port at Zeebrugge, accounts for 6,053 jobs.
| Figure | Value | Reference date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population of Bruges | 120,458 | Statbel: Statbel, Structuur van de bevolking: bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2026 | |
| VAT-registered businesses with head office in Bruges | 13,848 | Statbel: Statbel, open data: btw-plichtige ondernemingen volgens rechtsvorm en gemeente, 2025 | |
| Workplaces with employees in the Bruges district | 9,106 | NSSO: RSZ, Verdeling van de arbeidsplaatsen naar plaats van tewerkstelling, 31 december 2024 | |
| Employee jobs in the Bruges district | 110,097 | NSSO: RSZ, Verdeling van de arbeidsplaatsen naar plaats van tewerkstelling, 31 december 2024 | |
| Employee jobs in hospitality, Bruges district | 7,438 | NSSO: RSZ, Verdeling van de arbeidsplaatsen naar plaats van tewerkstelling, 31 december 2024 |
In practice
In hospitality you work under JC 302, often with flexi-jobbers, casual workers and students, each with their own Dimona. Dock workers at Zeebrugge fall under JC 301.05, the subcommittee for the ports of Zeebrugge-Bruges, Ostend and Nieuwpoort.
City and district of Ostend
Payroll in Ostend
Ostend (Oostende) has 73,000 inhabitants and 6,341 VAT-registered businesses. Of the six cities on this page, Ostend leans most on hospitality: 701 businesses, or 11.1%. In the Ostend district, hospitality provides 8.5% of all jobs, against 4.3% across West Flanders. Transport and storage accounts for 3,043 jobs.
| Figure | Value | Reference date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population of Ostend | 73,000 | Statbel: Statbel, Structuur van de bevolking: bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2026 | |
| VAT-registered businesses with head office in Ostend | 6,341 | Statbel: Statbel, open data: btw-plichtige ondernemingen volgens rechtsvorm en gemeente, 2025 | |
| Workplaces with employees in the Ostend district | 3,924 | NSSO: RSZ, Verdeling van de arbeidsplaatsen naar plaats van tewerkstelling, 31 december 2024 | |
| Employee jobs in the Ostend district | 42,124 | NSSO: RSZ, Verdeling van de arbeidsplaatsen naar plaats van tewerkstelling, 31 december 2024 | |
| Employee jobs in hospitality, Ostend district | 3,587 | NSSO: RSZ, Verdeling van de arbeidsplaatsen naar plaats van tewerkstelling, 31 december 2024 |
In practice
On the coast, staff numbers move with the season. Students, flexi-jobbers and casual workers each need their own Dimona, and a fixed-term contract is put in writing by the first working day at the latest.
Payroll in your town
For each town you read what Business Centrum takes over, which sectors are strong there and how to reach our office in Ghent.
From your city to our office in Ghent
Nearly everything is settled by phone and email. If you prefer to sit down together, our office is on Doornzelestraat, a short walk from Gent-Dampoort station. Distance and driving time apply without traffic from the centre of your city.
| From | By car | Driving time | Train to Gent-Dampoort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kortrijk | 51 km via the E17 | 44 minutes | 36 minutes, direct |
| Waregem | 39 km via the E17 | 35 minutes | 26 minutes, direct |
| Roeselare | 52 km via the N37 and E40 | 57 minutes | 60 minutes, changing at Lichtervelde |
| Tielt | 36 km via the N37 and E40 | 37 minutes | 35 minutes, direct |
| Bruges | 50 km via the E40 | 45 minutes | 36 minutes, direct |
| Ostend | 66 km via the E40 | 53 minutes | 52 minutes, direct |
Social secretariat in West Flanders: Acerta, through our office in Ghent
Our office is in Ghent, at Doornzelestraat 23-25. You call or email us from your own city, and for a meeting at the office you book an appointment. We run your staff administration together with Acerta. Also read what a payroll and HR office is, Acerta directly or through Business Centrum and how to change social secretariat.
Social secretariat in West Flanders: frequently asked questions
Does Business Centrum have an office in West Flanders?
No. Our office is in Ghent, at Doornzelestraat 23-25. We work for employers in West Flanders by phone and email. For a meeting at the office you book an appointment: from Waregem the train takes 26 minutes, from Bruges 36.
Does my social secretariat need to be in West Flanders?
No. Dimona and the DmfA return go electronically to the NSSO, wherever your business is. What matters is that you can call someone who knows your file and your joint committee.
Does a different joint committee apply in West Flanders than in Ghent?
No. Your joint committee depends on the activity of your business, not on the province. Some committees do sign a provincial agreement, such as JC 111 for the end-of-year bonus in metalworking and JC 116 in plastics processing.
Which joint committee covers a textile company in Kortrijk or Waregem?
Blue-collar workers fall under JC 120, the committee for the textile industry, and white-collar staff under JC 214. A furniture maker falls under JC 126 for its blue-collar workers.
Is Business Centrum a social secretariat?
No. Business Centrum is a payroll and HR office in Ghent and a recognised partner of Acerta. Acerta is the recognised social secretariat that files the returns with the NSSO. We run your staff administration and are your fixed contact.
Can I have a first conversation without coming to Ghent?
Yes. You call us or request a call back, and we go over your situation by phone. If you prefer to come in, you book an appointment at our office in Ghent.
Sources
The figures on this page come from these official sources, last consulted on .
- Cao PC 116 van 20 januari 2026, provinciaal akkoord 2025-2027 kunststofverwerkende nijverheid West-Vlaanderen, nr. 197638/CO/116
- FOD WASO, cao-databank, PC 111, cao van 16 oktober 2017 eindejaarspremie West-Vlaanderen (145690/CO/111), art. 4 § 2 a
- iRail, NMBS-dienstregeling
- iRail, NMBS-dienstregeling
- iRail, NMBS-dienstregeling
- iRail, NMBS-dienstregeling
- iRail, NMBS-dienstregeling
- iRail, NMBS-dienstregeling
- OpenStreetMap, routeplanner OSRM, route met de auto
- OpenStreetMap, routeplanner OSRM, route met de auto
- OpenStreetMap, routeplanner OSRM, route met de auto
- OpenStreetMap, routeplanner OSRM, route met de auto
- OpenStreetMap, routeplanner OSRM, route met de auto
- OpenStreetMap, routeplanner OSRM, route met de auto
- RSZ, Verdeling van de arbeidsplaatsen naar plaats van tewerkstelling, 31 december 2024
- Statbel, open data: btw-plichtige ondernemingen volgens rechtsvorm en gemeente, 2025
- Statbel, Structuur van de bevolking: bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2026
Social secretariat in West Flanders
Rather have someone check it for you?
Your dedicated contact at Business Centrum looks at it for your situation, together with Acerta.