The two companies that run mealvoucher systems, Sodexho and Accor Services, are currently developing their own individual e-payment systems which would allow various payment methods, such as a dedicated payment card similar to Proton, credits tied to the electronic identity card or payments by SMS. According to the minister for administrative simplification, Vincent Van Quickenborne, the new system would avoid the common problems of people losing their vouchers or neglecting to use them before their expiry date. In addition, a payment card would make it possible to pay the exact amount required, getting around the problem of change.

Businesses, however, greeted the news with the suspicion that it might lead to higher costs. “New additional costs are unacceptable,” said Karel Van Eetvelt, managing director of Unizo, which represents the self employed in Flanders. “That would cause tradespeople to opt out and undermine the whole system. At least now there’s a certain fixed cost per transaction.”

Businesses used to accepting the paper cheques face another problem, according to NSZ, which also represents small businesses. “About half of all small businesses and catering establishments have no payment terminal,” a spokesperson said.

Paper cheques will still continue for a transitional period, Van Quickenborne said. A system involving paper cheques as well as various forms of electronic payment methods is anything but simplified, business representatives said.