BIO: Financing, development and posting

‘My network (personal contacts, tax advisors, social secretariats, etc.) praised the efficiency of the OSS. This allowed me to devote my time to other priorities instead of questioning a system that was already working well. That’s why we continued our collaboration with the OSS,’ summarises Thomas Destrebecqz. It saves a lot of time and energy, especially for someone who is also responsible for payroll accounting, recruitment, human resources management and prevention consulting.

Investments aimed at ecological and social goals

BIO employs some 95 people and is 100% owned by the Belgian state. The company invests in strengthening the private sector in Africa, Latin America, Asia and Ukraine. ‘Our investment can, for example, enable the construction of a solar energy park or the establishment of a dairy. Any project we support must have a positive environmental or social impact on the country and be based on local partners.’ Financial returns are seen only as a means of financing other projects, not as the goal itself.

Complete OSS package for Africa

The demand for such projects is most acute on the African continent. For this reason, BIO has established two local offices: in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) and Nairobi (Kenya). In both offices, a Belgian expatriate works alongside a local colleague. ‘It comes as no surprise that our expats have a background in finance, are experts in the field of credit and have many years of experience in large companies. At this point in their careers, they wish to embark on an international adventure, in search of a more meaningful mission.’

The Belgian pension system already looks very complex. If people have questions, I refer them to the OSS services to ensure the information is correct, especially at the time it is provided.

BIO provides its expats with the entire OSS package in the form of collective membership: basic formula + supplementary insurance policy for Medical care (health care, occupational accidents and accidents in private life). In certain cases, health insurance can be extended to family members. ‘Expat candidates are usually very satisfied with our social security offer. They tend to have practical questions: What should they do if they or their family need medical care? How should they deal with their Belgian health insurance?’ Do they also think about their retirement provisions? ‘That doesn't seem to be a major concern for them; the Belgian pension system already looks very complex. If people have questions, I refer them to the OSS services to ensure the information is correct, especially at the time it is provided,’ explains Thomas Destrebecqz.

The OSS fulfils its contract

And what does an employer like BIO expect from its insurance company?

‘Above all, I would say:

• efficient administration, with quick responses, smooth transfer of information and pleasant personal contact,
• full coverage, even if that means paying a surcharge for higher coverage,
• comprehensible information, with insurance terms simplified (so that you don’t understand less the more questions you ask).’

Having read this testimonial, it seems that the OSS has done its job. ‘One small criticism of the quarterly reports: it's not always easy for the person managing the reports to remember every detail of the procedure,’ says Thomas Destrebecqz with a smile. So pick up the phone: the OSS is there for you!