JC 140.04 — Ground handling at airports Ground handling: enhanced meal vouchers and eco-vouchers for your ground teams

2025-2026 measures

The 2025-2026 sectoral protocol for JC 140.04 strengthens two benefits for ground handling workers at Belgian airports: the employer contribution to meal vouchers rises by €2 per voucher from 1 February 2026, and eco-vouchers are awarded with effect from 1 December 2025. Anticipate your payroll update and eligibility check.

Ground handling staff on an airport tarmac

Your challenges

Sound familiar?

Two benefits to update at the same time?

The meal voucher increase and the new eco-vouchers arrive almost simultaneously. Without clear steering, the risk of payroll errors and double-counting cost per worker rises. Frame both measures now.

Do your workers already have equivalent eco-vouchers?

The eco-voucher award does not apply if you already grant equivalent eco-vouchers or the 4 additional half-days of leave under JC 226. An eligibility check is essential before any issuance.

A retroactive effect to process correctly?

Eco-vouchers carry an effective date of 1 December 2025 but are processed retroactively in February 2026. Issuance, tax treatment and attachment to the 2025 reference period must be mastered.

Key measures

What applies to your sector

Meal vouchers: +€2 employer contribution

On 1 February 2026, the employer contribution to meal vouchers increases by €2 per voucher for all workers covered by JC 140.04, in line with the raised maximum meal voucher value in 2026.

Eco-vouchers: award from 1 December 2025

Workers covered by JC 140.04 receive eco-vouchers with effect from 1 December 2025. The exact amount is being confirmed with the sectoral sources.

Exclusion conditions to check

The eco-voucher award does not apply to companies already granting their workers equivalent eco-vouchers and/or the 4 additional half-days of leave provided under JC 226. Check your situation before any issuance.

Retroactive processing in February 2026

Although the effect is set at 1 December 2025, eco-vouchers are processed retroactively in February 2026. Ensure issuance and tax treatment are correctly attached to the 2025 reference period.

Timeline

Key dates to remember

01/12/2025 Conforme

Eco-voucher effective date

Eco-vouchers are awarded to JC 140.04 workers with effect from this date, subject to the exclusion conditions.

01/02/2026 Action requise

Meal voucher increase and eco-voucher processing

The employer contribution to meal vouchers increases by €2 per voucher. The December 2025 eco-vouchers are processed retroactively. Check correct payroll application.

Sectoral federation: SPF Emploi — CP 140.04

Colleague celebrating success at office

Turn your benefits into an attractiveness lever on the ground

In an operational, high-pressure sector where team reliability is critical, well-managed benefits make the difference. Managing meal vouchers and eco-vouchers manually across a shift-based workforce multiplies the risk of errors. By centralizing issuance, tracking and reporting on a digital platform, your HR and payroll teams gain a clear view of obligations per worker, secure eligibility and simplify compliance with the evolving requirements of JC 140.04.

Our approach

The Monizze answer: manage, simplify, optimise

Tailored evaluation

  • Analysis of your industry sector, your headcount and the appropriate budget scenario
  • Objective assessment of the real impact in consultation with your social secretariat
  • Comparison of your options to choose the best strategy

Centralised digital management

  • Simplified management of meal vouchers and eco-vouchers
  • Integration of mobility solutions and mobility budget
  • Global overview via RewardFlex — one platform, one management interface
  • Automated compliance with sectoral obligations

Enhanced employee experience

  • Real-time view of your balance and benefits
  • Simplified activation of the Monizze card
  • Full visibility over the complete salary package

Next steps

3 steps to comply with JC 140.04

Verify the obligations of your JC 140.04

Amounts, deadlines, exceptions: every detail matters.

Estimate the cost for your team size

Compare scenarios and identify the best option.

Plan your 2026 benefits

Meal vouchers, mobility, flexibility: a coherent package.

Take action

Which situation is yours?

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about sectoral agreements

What are the two key measures of JC 140.04 for 2025-2026?

The 2025-2026 sectoral protocol introduces two measures: a €2 increase to the meal voucher employer contribution from 1 February 2026, and the award of eco-vouchers with effect from 1 December 2025 (processed retroactively in February 2026). Both apply to workers covered by the joint sub-committee for ground handling at airports.

Do all my workers receive eco-vouchers?

Not necessarily. The eco-voucher award does not apply to companies already granting their workers equivalent eco-vouchers and/or the 4 additional half-days of leave provided under JC 226. Before any issuance, check your situation with your payroll office: where an equivalence exists, no additional issuance is required.

What is the eco-voucher amount?

The exact eco-voucher amount for December 2025 is being confirmed: the sectoral sources are not yet aligned. We will update this page as soon as the final amount is validated. Confirm the applicable amount with your payroll office before issuance.

Which companies are covered by JC 140.04?

The joint sub-committee covers companies active in ground handling at Belgian airports: platform operations, passenger assistance, baggage, ground transport, cargo, mail handling and crew assistance. Excluded are companies falling under the joint committees for the petroleum industry and trade, cleaning, fuel trade, the hotel industry or commercial aviation, except companies that directly manage airports.

Is the €10 meal voucher mandatory for all companies?

No. The legal ceiling is set at €10, but the actual amount depends on your sector agreements. Some sectors require the maximum, others a lower amount.

Can meal vouchers be optimised without increasing the overall cost for the employer?

Yes. Meal vouchers benefit from a favourable tax regime. A modelling exercise with Monizze allows you to compare scenarios and identify the most optimised option for your budget.

My industry sector is not listed, what should I do?

If your JC doesn't appear, no definitive decision has been confirmed for your sector. New provisions will be added once confirmed. Contact Monizze for personalised guidance.

The information on this portal is provided for informational purposes only, without guarantee of completeness or currency. It does not constitute professional advice and does not engage the liability of Monizze.