JC 126 — Furniture and wood processing — Furniture and wood: meal vouchers and eco-cheques in transition from 2026
Joint committee 126 provides for the mandatory introduction of meal vouchers from 1 June 2026 and a gradual reduction of eco-cheques. For companies in the furniture and wood processing sector, these measures require an adjustment of benefits policy while strengthening workers' purchasing power.
Your challenges
Sound familiar?
How to manage the eco-cheques / meal vouchers transition?
The eco-cheque reduction and simultaneous introduction of meal vouchers require an adaptation of benefits policies and internal processes.
Does your company qualify for the exception regime?
Companies that converted eco-cheques into an equivalent benefit may qualify for a limited meal voucher increase. Check your existing agreements.
Are your payroll systems ready?
The introduction of meal vouchers requires a payroll parameter update, particularly for tracking days actually worked and managing contributions.
Key measures
What applies to your sector
Introduction of €3.09 meal vouchers
From 1 June 2026, companies must introduce meal vouchers with a €2 employer contribution and a €1.09 employee contribution, granted per day actually worked.
+€2 for companies with existing vouchers
Companies already providing meal vouchers must increase their employer contribution by €2. Exception: companies that converted eco-cheques can limit the increase to €1.50.
Eco-cheque reduction from €250 to €150
Eco-cheques decrease from €250 to €150 per year from the reference period of 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2027. The amount is calculated pro rata for part-time workers.
Eco-cheque conversion possibility
At company level, eco-cheques can be converted into another equivalent benefit, in accordance with the provisions of collective agreements.
Timeline
Key dates to remember
Last €250 eco-cheque attribution
Eco-cheques are attributed one last time for €250 for the reference period from 1 June 2025 to 31 May 2026.
Introduction of meal vouchers
All JC 126 companies must introduce or increase meal vouchers. Employer contribution of €2 + €1.09 employee, or +€2 for existing companies.
Eco-cheques reduced to €150
Eco-cheques are attributed for a reduced amount of €150 for the reference period from 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2027.
Sectoral federation: Interieur Unie
Modernise your benefits policy in the wood sector
These changes represent an opportunity to modernise the sector's benefits policy, improve the attractiveness of wood and furniture professions and strengthen talent retention. The digitalisation of meal vouchers and eco-cheques enables the automation of administrative processes and simplifies management for HR and payroll teams.
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 126
Verify the obligations of your JC 126
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.
Increase your meal vouchers to €10
The new cap applies — take action now.
Adjust my meal vouchersA question about one of your clients?
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about sectoral agreements
When must meal vouchers be introduced in JC 126?
When must meal vouchers be introduced in JC 126?
What if my company already provides meal vouchers?
What if my company already provides meal vouchers?
What is the future of eco-cheques in JC 126?
What is the future of eco-cheques in JC 126?
Can eco-cheques be converted into another benefit?
Can eco-cheques be converted into another benefit?
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 109 / 215 — Clothing and garment industry
Sectoral meal voucher increase of +€1.25 per day worked
ExploreJC 110 — Textile maintenance
Sectoral meal voucher increase of +€1 with possibility of +€2 at company level
ExploreJC 116 / 207 — Chemical industry
+€2 or introduction at €3.09 from April 2026, with exceptions
ExploreJC 118 / 220 — Food industry
+€1 mandatory per meal voucher and introduction of an equivalent benefit for companies without vouchers
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