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{{Short description|Belgian socialist politician}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=OctoberApril 20132023}}
{{Infobox Officeholderofficeholder
| name = Achille Van Acker
| image = [[File:Achiel Van Acker1Acker (1958).jpg|220px]]
| office = [[Prime Minister of Belgium]]
|caption = Van Acker, photographed in 1956▼
|office monarch = 33rd = [[Prime MinisterBaudouin of Belgium|Baudouin]]
| term_start = 23 April 1954
|monarch = [[Baudouin of Belgium|Baudouin]]▼
|term_start term_end = 2326 AprilJune 19541958
|term_end predecessor = 26[[Jean JuneVan 1958Houtte]]
|predecessor successor = [[Jean VanGaston HoutteEyskens]]
▲|monarch monarch2 = [[BaudouinLeopold III of Belgium|BaudouinLeopold III]]
|successor = [[Gaston Eyskens]]
| 1blankname2 = Regent
|monarch2 1namedata2 = [[Prince Charles, Count of Flanders|Prince Charles]] <small>(Regent)</small>
|term_start2 = 31 March 1946▼
|term_end2 term_start2 = 331 AugustMarch 1946
| term_end2 = 3 August 1946
|predecessor2 = [[Paul-Henri Spaak]]▼
|successor2 predecessor2 = [[CamillePaul-Henri HuysmansSpaak]]
| successor2 = [[Camille Huysmans]]
|monarch3 = [[Prince Charles, Count of Flanders|Charles]] <small>(Regent)</small>▼
| monarch3 = [[Leopold III of Belgium|Leopold III]]
|term_start3 = 12 February 1945▼
| 2blankname3 = Regent
|term_end3 = 13 March 1946
▲|monarch3 2namedata3 = [[Prince Charles, Count of Flanders|Prince Charles]] <small>(Regent)</small>
|predecessor3 = [[Hubert Pierlot]]▼
▲| term_start3 = 12 February 1945
|successor3 = [[Paul-Henri Spaak]]
▲|term_start2 term_end3 = 3113 March 1946
|office4 = [[List of Presidents of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives|President of the Chamber of Representatives]]▼
▲| predecessor3 = [[Hubert Pierlot]]
|term_start4 = 27 April 1961▼
▲|predecessor2 successor3 = [[Paul-Henri Spaak]]
|term_end4 = 30 April 1974▼
▲| office4 = [[List of Presidents of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives|President of the Chamber of Representatives]]
|predecessor4 = [[Paul Kronacker]]▼
▲| term_start4 = 27 April 1961
|successor4 = [[André Dequae]]▼
▲| term_end4 = 30 April 1974
|birth_date = {{birth date|1898|4|8|df=y}}▼
▲| predecessor4 = [[Paul Kronacker]]
|birth_place = [[Bruges]], Belgium▼
▲| successor4 = [[André Dequae]]
|death_date = {{death date and age|1975|7|10|1898|4|8|df=y}}▼
▲| birth_date = {{birth date|1898|4|8|df=y}}
|death_place = Bruges, Belgium▼
▲| birth_place = [[Bruges]], Belgium
|party = [[Belgian Labour Party]] <small>(1918–44)</small><br/>[[Belgian Socialist Party]] <small>(1944–)</small>▼
▲| death_date = {{death date and age|1975|7|10|1898|4|8|df=y}}
▲| death_place = Bruges, Belgium
▲| party = [[Belgian Labour Party]] <small>(1918–44)</small><br />[[Belgian Socialist Party]] <small>(1944–)</small>
▲| caption = Van Acker, photographed in 19561958
}}
'''Achille Van Acker''' (8 April 1898 – 10 July 1975) was a [[Belgium|Belgian]] politician who served fourthree terms as the [[List of Prime Ministers of Belgium|Primeprime Ministerminister of Belgium]] between 1946 and 1958. A moderate from [[Flanders]], Van Acker was a member of the [[Belgian Socialist Party]] (PSB–BSP) and played an important role in the creation of the Belgian [[welfare state]] after [[World War II]].
 
==Biography==
Line 42 ⟶ 47:
In May 1940, Belgium [[Battle of Belgium|was invaded]] by Nazi Germany. Following the Belgian surrender and the start of the [[German occupation of Belgium during World War II|German occupation]], the head of the POB–BWP [[Henri de Man]] announced the dissolution of the socialist party as part of a policy of collaborationism.{{sfn|Nouvelle Biographie Nationale|p=364}} Van Acker retreated from public life.{{sfn|Nouvelle Biographie Nationale|p=364}} In 1941, however, he rejoined the illegal socialist party and underground trade union movement under the ''[[nom de guerre]]'' "Monsieur André" and travelled around the country making contact with party sections.{{sfn|Nouvelle Biographie Nationale|pp=364-5}} At the [[Liberation of Belgium]] in September 1944, Van Acker emerged as the head of the POB–BWP's successor party, the [[Belgian Socialist Party]] (''Belgische Socialistische Partij'', PSB-BSP).{{sfn|Nouvelle Biographie Nationale|pp=364-5}}
 
In December 1944, while serving as a government minister, Van Acker implemented Belgium's social security system.<ref name="google">{{cite book|title=Surviving Hitler and Mussolini: Daily Life in Occupied Europe|author1=Gildea, R.|author2=Wieviorka, O.|author3=Warring, A.|date=2006|publisher=Bloomsbury Academic|isbn=9781845201814|url=https://books.google.co.ukcom/books?id=8lPh2vwFuU4C&pg=PA72|page=72|accessdateaccess-date=2017-02-17}}</ref>
 
=== Prime minister ===
After the Second World War, Van Acker became Prime Minister of Belgium in four different cabinets and served as Minister of Labour and Social Services, Minister of Public Health, Minister of Mobility and Minister of Mining (which led to his nickname). From 1961 until 1974 he served as President of the Chamber of Representatives. He was named Minister of State in 1958. During Van Acker's first premiership, compulsory disability insurance<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=64U_dlAI6g0C&pg=PA222|title=Two Centuries of Solidarity: German, Belgian, and Dutch Social Health Care Insurance 1770-2008|lastlast1=Companje|firstfirst1=Karel-Peter|last2=Veraghtert|first2=Karel|last3=Widdershoven|first3=Brigitte|date=2009-01-01|publisher=Amsterdam University Press|isbn=9789052603445|language=en}}</ref> and compulsory health insurance for manual and non-manual workers was introduced in March 1945, and from January 1946 onwards health insurance funds earmarked a special contribution that covered the costs of preventive open-air cures.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sr01WdPbghYC&pg=PA62|title=The History of Youth Work in Europe: Relevance for Youth Policy Today|lastlast1=Coussée|firstfirst1=Filip|last2=Verschelden|first2=Griet|last3=Williamson|first3=Howard|date=2012-01-01|publisher=Council of Europe|isbn=9789287172440|language=en}}</ref> ToWith improveregard healthto andwork safety in minesaccidents, athe Decree-Law wasof introduced20 in DecemberSeptember 1945 provididing forextended the compulsorylaw useto indomestic dustyworkers, placeswhile the Decree-Law of devices13 “capableDecember of1945 allaying"legally orratifies suppressingthe coalregulations andfor stoneroad dustaccidents that have existed since 1942.”"<ref name="auto">SAFETY[https://bib.kuleuven.be/rbib/collectie/archieven/arbbl/1986-100jaarsociaalrecht.pdf INHONDERD COALJAAR MINESSOCIAAL VOLUMERECHT I:IN OrganisationBELGIË onARBEIDSBLAD the1886/1887 National- and1986/1987]</ref> InternationalIn Levelsaddition, Internationalas Labournoted Office,by one Genevastudy, 1953</ref>"In Athe numberfirst oforganic lawsunemployment werescheme also(decree passedof fromthe AprilRegent 1945of onwards26 thatMay liberalized1945) entitlementthe toprinciple allowancesof fora deporteesgeneralized ofright foreignto nationality.<ref>{{Citeunemployment book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UFVFmxjpqLgC&pg=PA89|title=Thewas Jewsregistered, arewithout Comingtaking Back:into The Return ofaccount the Jewspossible toneedy Their Countriessituation of Originthe Afterunemployed WWperson II|last=Bankier|first=David|date=2005-01-01|publisher=Berghahnheld."<ref Books|isbnname=9781571815279|language=en}}<"auto"/ref>
 
To improve health and safety in mines, a decree was introduced in December 1945 provididing for the compulsory use in dusty places of devices "capable of allaying or suppressing coal and stone dust."<ref>SAFETY IN COAL MINES VOLUME I: Organisation on the National and International Levels, International Labour Office, Geneva, 1953</ref> A number of laws were also passed from April 1945 onwards that liberalized entitlement to allowances for deportees of foreign nationality.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UFVFmxjpqLgC&pg=PA89|title=The Jews are Coming Back: The Return of the Jews to Their Countries of Origin After WW II|last=Bankier|first=David|date=2005-01-01|publisher=Berghahn Books|isbn=9781571815279|language=en}}</ref>
An Order of October 1945 issued general regulations for the medical control of workers in industrial and commercial undertakings, public services and public utilities. Another Order introduced that same month issued general regulations concerning personal equipment for health protection.<ref>http://staging.ilo.org/public/libdoc/ilo/P/09611/09611(1946-22).pdf</ref> Following a 1940 law that enabled homeowners wishing to begin reconstruction of their properties to apply for a “repair loan at a low rate of interest, an Act was passed in December 1945 that enabled them to acquire an interest-free advance on their compensation.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P84es4zwTiAC&pg=PA264|title=Living with History, 1914 - 1964: la Reconstruction en Europe Après la Première Et la Seconde Guerre Mondiale Et Le Rôle de la Conservation Des Monuments Historiques|last=Bullock|first=Nicholas|last2=Verpoest|first2=Luc|date=2011-01-01|publisher=Leuven University Press|isbn=9789058678416|language=en}}</ref> That same month, a Supreme Council for Hygiene in Mines was established with the aim of furthering the progress of industrial hygiene.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u14WxkRX9LEC&pg=PA5|title=Coal Mines Committee|publisher=International Labour Organization|language=en}}</ref> In February 1946, the formation of safety and hygiene committees was made compulsory.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QD3pAAAAMAAJ|title=Industrial Safety Survey|date=1950-01-01|publisher=International Labour Office.|language=en}}</ref> In September 1945, workers’ compensation was extended to household maids, and for accidents to and from work in December 1945.<ref>http://www.asf.com.pt/NR/rdonlyres/C5875B58-AD90-4508-8012-321A93CF0871/0/Interven%C3%A7%C3%A3oCarineLuyckx281113.pdf</ref> A Legislative Order of January 1946 regulating annual holidays covered all persons “bound by contracts for the hiring of services or by contracts of apprenticeship,” and laid down the essential principles for the grant of paid holidays, “leaving scope for their adaptation to the special needs of the various branches of industrial activity.”<ref>http://staging.ilo.org/public/libdoc/ilo/1949/49B09_90_engl.pdf</ref>▼
 
▲An Order of October 1945 issued general regulations for the medical control of workers in industrial and commercial undertakings, public services and public utilities. Another Orderorder introduced that same month issued general regulations concerning personal equipment for health protection.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://staging.ilo.org/public/libdoc/ilo/P/09611/09611(1946-22).pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=12 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025114625/http://staging.ilo.org/public/libdoc/ilo/P/09611/09611(1946-22).pdf |archive-date=25 October 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Following a 1940 law that enabled homeowners wishing to begin reconstruction of their properties to apply for a “repair"repair loan at a low rate of interest, an Act was passed in December 1945 that enabled them to acquire an interest-free advance on their compensation.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P84es4zwTiAC&pg=PA264|title=Living with History, 1914 - 1964: la Reconstruction en Europe Après la Première Et la Seconde Guerre Mondiale Et Le Rôle de la Conservation Des Monuments Historiques|lastlast1=Bullock|firstfirst1=Nicholas|last2=Verpoest|first2=Luc|date=2011-01-01|publisher=Leuven University Press|isbn=9789058678416|language=en}}</ref> That same month, a Supreme Council for Hygiene in Mines was established with the aim of furthering the progress of industrial hygiene.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u14WxkRX9LEC&pg=PA5|title=Coal Mines Committee|publisher=International Labour Organization|language=en}}</ref> In February 1946, the formation of safety and hygiene committees was made compulsory.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QD3pAAAAMAAJ|title=Industrial Safety Survey|date=1950-01-01|publisher=International Labour Office.|language=en}}</ref> Titles I and II of general regulations for the protection of labour, dated 11 February 1946, "which constitute a codification of the Belgian labour protection legislation, were approved by an Order of the Regent on 11 February 1946."<ref>[http://www.ilo.org/public/libdoc/ilo/P/09611/09611(1947-23).pdf SAFETY SURVEY, VOLUME XXIII, 1947]</ref> In September 1945, workers’ compensation was extended to household maids, and for accidents to and from work in December 1945.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.asf.com.pt/NR/rdonlyres/C5875B58-AD90-4508-8012-321A93CF0871/0/Interven%C3%A7%C3%A3oCarineLuyckx281113.pdf|title=Página não encontrada}}</ref> A Legislative Order of January 1946 regulating annual holidays covered all persons “bound"bound by contracts for the hiring of services or by contracts of apprenticeship,”" and laid down the essential principles for the grant of paid holidays, “leaving"leaving scope for their adaptation to the special needs of the various branches of industrial activity.”"<ref>[http://staging.ilo.org/public/libdoc/ilo/1949/49B09_90_engl.pdf]{{Dead link|date=October 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>
 
The first three cabinets led by Van Acker were short-lived because of the [[Royal Question|crisis pertaining to]] [[Leopold III of Belgium|Leopold III]] which held Belgium in its grip from 1944 to 1951.
 
Initiatives were taken by Van Acker's fourth cabinet to expand social spending on pensions, housing, employment, and education. Steps were also taken to reduce the workweek and to reduce the term of compulsory military service from 21 to 18 months.<ref>Democratic Socialism: A Global Survey Donald F. Busky</ref> A 45-hour workweek was introduced in 1955, and in 1956 a law was passed in 1956 that doubled holiday leave entitlement from 6 to 12 days.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BD6DBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA55|title=Architecture and the Welfare State|lastlast1=Swenarton|firstfirst1=Mark|last2=Avermaete|first2=Tom|last3=Heuvel|first3=Dirk van den|date=2014-09-15|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781317661900|language=en}}</ref> Earnings-related pension schemes were introduced for manual workers (1955), seamen (1956), and white-collar workers (1957).<ref name="auto2">Growth to Limits. The Western European Welfare States Since World War II by Peter Flora</ref> AllowancesAs werenoted introducedby inone study, "The laws of 21 May 1955<ref>Growth (workers) and 12 July 1957 (clerks) take over the principles of the 1953 law with an extension. Every pensioner is entitled to Limitsa pension calculated according to the length of his career and at 60 per cent. The(single Westernpersons) Europeanor Welfare75 Statespc. Since(family Worldpension) Warof IIthe bygross Peterrevalued Floraearned wages."<ref name="auto"/> Allowances were introduced in 1955<ref name="auto2"/> to cover demolition and rehousing while pension contributions were made obligatory in 1956.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.socialsecurity.fgov.be/docs/en/alwa2011_en.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=26 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904064401/http://www.socialsecurity.fgov.be/docs/en/alwa2011_en.pdf |archive-date=4 September 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> An Act of June 1954 increased the minimum pension and introduced index-lining of for pension benefits, while an Act of July 1957 introduced a wage-related pension formula for white-collar workers.<ref>Growth to Limits: The Western European Welfare States Since World War II, Volume 4 edited by Peter Flora</ref> Under the 1955 Collard Act, municipalities could only admit private schools “afteronly "after they had created public-sector ones and only where there a need for them was felt.”"<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LTdIfDfLss4C&pg=PA96|title=Institutional Context of Education Systems in Europe: A Cross-Country Comparison on Quality and Equity|lastlast1=Hofman|firstfirst1=R. H.|last2=Hofman|first2=W. H. A.|last3=Gray|first3=J. M.|last4=Daly|first4=P.|date=2006-01-16|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=9781402027451|language=en}}</ref> New schools were also built, whileand in the 1956 budget, provision was made (for the first time) the purchase by the Statestate of school supplies for “the"the benefit of pupils in primary and nursery-infant sections attached to Statestate secondary education establishments."<ref>http{{cite web|url=https://unesdoc.unesco.org/imagesark:/001348223/001329/132929eopf0000132929|access-date=7 April 2023|website=UNESCO|title=International yearbook of education, v.pdf 18, 1956}}</ref> In addition, a law of March 1958 made public authorities responsible for the cost of transporting (where necessary) abnormal and similarly handicapped children to special schools.<ref>http{{cite web|url=https://unesdoc.unesco.org/imagesark:/001348223/001329/132933eopf0000132933|access-date=7 April 2023|website=UNESCO|title=International yearbook of education, v.pdf 20, 1958}}</ref> In 1957, an age allowance was introduced,<ref name="auto"/> and a law of April the 28th 1958 (which was later replaced by a law of April 16, 1963) established a social rehabilitation scheme for the disabled.<ref name="auto"/>
{{check quotation}}
 
Altogether, the various social reforms realised under Van Acker's fourth cabinet led him to be known as the father of Belgian [[social security]].
 
=== Later life and death ===
Van Acker died on 11 July 1975, at the age of 77.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/07/11/archives/achille-van-acker-is-dead-at-77-exsocialist-premier-of-belgium.html | title=Achille van Acker is Dead at 77; Ex‐Socialist Premier of Belgium | newspaper=The New York Times | date=11 July 1975 }}</ref>
 
==Authography==
Line 61 ⟶ 71:
 
== Honours ==
* {{flag|Belgium}}: Minister of state, By royal decree of 23 December 1958.
* {{flag|Belgium}}: Grand Cordon in the [[Order of Leopold (Belgium)|Order of Leopold]].<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ars-moriendi.be/VAN_ACKER.HTM|title=VAN ACKER|website=www.ars-moriendi.be|accessdateaccess-date=2017-02-01}}</ref>
* {{flag|Belgium}}: Knight Grand cross in the [[Order of the Crown (Belgium)|Order of the Crown]].<ref>{{Cite web|urlname=http:"auto1"//www.ars-moriendi.be/VAN_ACKER.HTM|title=VAN ACKER|website=www.ars-moriendi.be|accessdate=2017-02-01}}</ref>
* {{flag|Belgium}}: Knight in the [[Order of Leopold II]].<ref>{{Cite web|urlname=http:"auto1"//www.ars-moriendi.be/VAN_ACKER.HTM|title=VAN ACKER|website=www.ars-moriendi.be|accessdate=2017-02-01}}</ref>
* Knight Grand cross in the [[Order of Orange-Nassau]].<ref>{{Cite web|urlname=http:"auto1"//www.ars-moriendi.be/VAN_ACKER.HTM|title=VAN ACKER|website=www.ars-moriendi.be|accessdate=2017-02-01}}</ref>
* Knight Grand cross in the [[Legion of Honour]].
* Knight Grand cross in the [[Order of the Oak Crown]].
Line 74 ⟶ 84:
 
===Bibliography===
*{{cite book|ref={{harvid|Nouvelle Biographie Nationale}}|chapter=VAN ACKER, Achille Honoré|chapter-url=|title=Nouvelle Biographie Nationale|volume=8|publisher=Académie Royale de Belgique|year=2005|location=Brussels|pages=363–6}}
 
==External links==
{{commonscatcommons category-inline|Achiel Van Acker}}
* {{PM20|FID=pe/000085}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnBuKwHZgVM Why 11 April 1954 Is Statistically The Most Boring Day Ever] Video that mentions Van Acker's 1954 election to Prime Minister as probably the most important event that happened that day.
 
{{s-start}}
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[[Category:1898 births]]
[[Category:1975 deaths]]
[[Category:Belgian Ministers of Statestate of Belgium]]
[[Category:Belgian Socialist Party politicians]]
[[Category:PeoplePoliticians from Bruges]]
[[Category:Presidents of the Chamber of Representatives (Belgium)]]
[[Category:Prime Ministersministers of Belgium]]
<!-- Honours -->
[[Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of the Crown (Belgium)]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses 1st class of the Order of Merit of the OakFederal Republic of CrownGermany]]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achille_Van_Acker"
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