Febelplast, which represents plastics converters, has called for wage restraint

Belgian plastics converters grew sales by 3% last year, due mainly to improved domestic demand. According to Febelplast, the trade association that represents converters, 2005 sales rose to E5.7bn. At the same time, employment in the sector rose by 1%. Febelplast president Henri Vliegen called for wage rises to be curbed if the sector is to remain competitive with those of other countries.

Febelplast quoted a survey from the Office of Planning, which said that wages in the Belgian plastics sector increased by 28% between 1995 and 2003. In the same period, equivalent German wages rose by only 9%. Exports by Febelplast members dipped last year, from 76% of sales to less than 72%.