JC 142.03 — Paper recovery — Paper recovery: upgraded meal vouchers in 2026
Since 1 March 2026, JC 142.03 has increased the meal voucher value for blue-collar workers in the paper recovery sector by €1.50. Check your current amounts, respect the €10 cap and apply the new value correctly from the March payroll cycle.
Your challenges
Sound familiar?
Effective as from 1 March
The increase applies from the March 2026 payroll cycle.
Risk of exceeding the €10 legal cap?
Before applying the +€1.50, you must audit the current face value of your meal vouchers so as not to exceed the legal maximum of €10 per voucher.
A measure for blue-collar workers only, in a mixed team?
The increase only concerns blue-collar workers under JC 142.03. You must verify each employee's classification to apply the measure to the right people.
Key measures
What applies to your sector
€1.50 increase for blue-collar workers
The face value of blue-collar meal vouchers rises by €1.50 since 1 March 2026, to be applied from the March payroll cycle.
€10 legal cap to respect
Audit the current value of your meal vouchers before adding the +€1.50: the total may not exceed the legal maximum of €10 per voucher.
Update payroll and agreements
Reference the applicable CBA in your payroll systems and coordinate with your social secretariat to apply the new amount.
Timeline
Key dates to remember
Increase takes effect
The value of blue-collar meal vouchers rises by €1.50. To be applied from the March 2026 payroll cycle, with no retroactivity for January and February.
Verify the €10 cap
Confirm that the new face value does not exceed the €10 legal maximum per voucher for each worker concerned.
Sectoral federation: Denuo
Modernise your package to attract talent
The upward revision of meal vouchers reflects growing expectations around purchasing power in industrial subsectors. It's an opportunity to modernise your compensation package and position yourself as an employer of choice in a market where skilled workers are mobile. By digitalising the issuance and tracking of meal vouchers, you eliminate manual recalculations, reduce errors at cycle transitions and keep an accurate view of costs.
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 142.03
Verify the obligations of your JC 142.03
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?
Request your personalized offer
Discover how sectoral agreements impact your budget.
Get a quoteIncrease your meal vouchers to €10
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about sectoral agreements
When does the meal voucher increase apply in JC 142.03?
When does the meal voucher increase apply in JC 142.03?
Does the increase also apply to white-collar employees?
Does the increase also apply to white-collar employees?
What if my meal vouchers already reach €10?
What if my meal vouchers already reach €10?
Is the €10 meal voucher mandatory for all companies?
Is the €10 meal voucher mandatory for all companies?
Can meal vouchers be optimised without increasing the overall cost for the employer?
Can meal vouchers be optimised without increasing the overall cost for the employer?
My industry sector is not listed, what should I do?
My industry sector is not listed, what should I do?
Other sectors
Explore other industry sectors
JC 105 / 224 — Non-ferrous metals
+€2 or introduction at €3.09 from 1 July 2026
ExploreJC 106.02 — Concrete industry
Mandatory sectoral meal vouchers of €3.09 for blue-collar workers from January 2026
ExploreJC 107 — Master tailors and dressmakers
Meal voucher increase of +€2 per day worked, €6 minimum from 2026
ExploreJC 109 / 215 — Clothing and garment industry
Sectoral meal voucher increase of +€1.25 per day worked
ExploreThe 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.