Social Pact

Achille Van Acker, pictured in 1958, who presided over the social security reform as prime minister in 1944

The Social Pact (French: Pacte social, Dutch: Sociaal Pact), officially entitled the Draft Accord for Social Unity (Projet d'accord de Solidarité sociale or Ontwerp van overeenkomst tot sociale solidariteit), was an informal political agreement concluded between corporate, labour, and civil service representatives in Belgium which laid the basis for a political compromise after World War II. Concluded in secret in German-occupied Belgium on 24 April 1944, the Plan was intended to lay the foundations for a new political compromise between the different groups after the war based on improved labour relations. It is most notable for laying the foundation for the country's social security legislation adopted by the government of Achille Van Acker in December 1944.