Walloon budget introduces job bonus for low-income self-employed, UCM flags municipal fund risk

The Walloon government reached a budget agreement introducing a 'job bonus' for low-income self-employed workers, mirroring a Flemish scheme, with payments up to 500 euros for incomes below 5,000 euros gross, starting in 2028 for ~900,000 workers. The UCM warns that non-indexation of the municipal fund may push local tax increases. This marks a regional policy shift but remains a domestic fiscal measure with limited direct market impact.