JC 142.04 — Recovery of miscellaneous products — Recovery of miscellaneous products: your meal vouchers rise by €2 in 2026
The 2025-2026 sectoral agreement for JC 142.04 raises the face value of meal vouchers by €2 for all blue-collar workers, retroactive to 1 January 2026. The new minimum value reaches €5.16 (€4.07 employer, €1.09 employee). Check your January payroll and apply the necessary corrections.
Your challenges
Sound familiar?
Was the January 2026 increase correctly applied?
The increase is retroactive to 1 January 2026. If the new value was not applied at the first January payroll, you must initiate a correction for all affected workers to stay compliant.
New employer/employee split: is your payroll up to date?
The employer contribution rises to €4.07 per voucher. Your payroll parameters and social secretariat must reflect the new split (€4.07 employer / €1.09 employee) and the minimum face value of €5.16.
€10 cap and worked days: how do you avoid non-compliance?
Workers close to the maximum cannot exceed €10 per voucher, and entitlement stays at one voucher per day actually worked. An audit of amounts and accurate absence tracking are essential.
Key measures
What applies to your sector
Increase of +€2 for all workers
The face value of meal vouchers rises by €2 on 1 January 2026 for all blue-collar workers under JC 142.04. Workers already above €3.16 also benefit from the full increase, up to €10 per day.
New minimum value of €5.16
The new minimum amount is €5.16 per voucher, split into €4.07 employer contribution and €1.09 borne by the employee. Your payroll parameters must reflect this split.
Legal cap of €10 to respect
No meal voucher may exceed €10 per day. Before applying the increase to workers already near the maximum, audit existing amounts to avoid any non-compliant overpayment.
One voucher per day actually worked
Entitlement stays at one meal voucher per day actually worked. Accurate absence tracking is essential to avoid over-issuance and ensure the voucher count remains compliant.
Timeline
Key dates to remember
2025-2026 sectoral agreement concluded
The social partners of JC 142.04 agree on a substantial increase in the value of meal vouchers for all blue-collar workers in the sector.
Increase comes into force (+€2)
The minimum face value rises to €5.16 (€4.07 employer). Application is retroactive: check your January payroll and correct the affected prestations if needed.
Sectoral federation: Denuo
Turn an obligation into a retention advantage
The €2 increase is one of the most significant adjustments in the sector in recent years and reflects heightened expectations around purchasing power. It is the moment to strengthen your overall benefits offer to stay competitive and retain experienced teams. A retroactive increase, a new employer/employee split and a cap to monitor create real administrative complexity: digitalizing your meal vouchers removes manual recalculations, streamlines corrections and gives your HR and payroll teams real-time visibility over costs and compliance.
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 142.04
Verify the obligations of your JC 142.04
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?
Request your personalized offer
Discover how sectoral agreements impact your budget.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about sectoral agreements
What is the new minimum meal voucher amount in JC 142.04?
What is the new minimum meal voucher amount in JC 142.04?
What if the increase was not applied from January 2026?
What if the increase was not applied from January 2026?
Do workers already receiving more than €3.16 also benefit from the increase?
Do workers already receiving more than €3.16 also benefit from the increase?
Which companies fall under JC 142.04?
Which companies fall under JC 142.04?
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.