The federal government is responsible for labour law and social security. The Belgian Federal Public Service (FPS) Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue is responsible for the federal administrative services on the labour market and social dialogue, such as regulation of the labour market. The labour inspectorate is part of this federal public service and supervises the implementation of social law and welfare at work. Allowances, such as unemployment payments or career break premiums, are under the authority of the National Employment Office.

Following the Sixth State Reform (2011–2012), responsibilities for vocational training, labour market policies for target groups and the majority of job-activating measures for unemployed people have been transferred to the Belgian regions. The responsible public services are the Flemish Public Employment Service (Vlaamse Dienst voor Arbeidsbemiddeling en Beroepsopleiding, VDAB) for the Flemish Region, the Regional Vocational Training and Employment Office (Office communautaire et régional de la formation professionnelle et de l’emploi, FOREM) for the Walloon Region and Actiris for the Brussels Region.

The labour courts are the main institutions ensuring the enforcement of employees’ rights. However, depending on the type of dispute, mediation can occur within a company.

The main institution monitoring and promoting health and safety at work is the High Council for Prevention and Protection at Work (Conseil supérieur pour la prevention et la protection au travail/Hoge Raad voor Preventie en Bescherming op het Werk).