The Matzak case, a landmark ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), challenged traditional understandings of working time and rest periods, particularly for volunteer firefighters in Belgium. Despite earlier cases before Belgian courts, the Matzak decision brought significant shifts in jurisprudence, influencing how volunteers were categorised and how stand-by time was interpreted. This article examines the impact of the Matzak judgment on Belgian case law, tracing its evolution from pre- Matzak rulings to post-decision interpretations. Analysing decisions from the Court of Cassation and the Constitutional Court, the study explores the redefinition of volunteers as employees and the qualification of stand-by time as working time. The reluctance of Belgian courts to adapt their views on stand-by duty prior to Matzak is highlighted, with persistent adherence to principles established in the Simap case. However, the Matzak ruling prompted questions about the treatment of voluntary firefighters and the adequacy of legal distinctions. Despite initial resistance, subsequent cases challenged previous interpretations, leading to clarifications by the Court of Cassation. Ambiguities remain, as seen in the Simon case, raising concerns about consistent application of Matzak jurisprudence. The unique status of voluntary firefighters in Belgium presents challenges, as they operate in a legal grey area with regards to rights and working conditions. Municipalities are urged to regulate their working time in the absence of general legislation. Nonetheless, the recognition of firefighters as workers by the CJEU offers promise for their legal standing under EU law. Increasing recognition of comparability between volunteers and professionals suggests a move towards more equitable treatment. Looking beyond Matzak, the article explores implications for the evolving digital workplace, where boundaries between work and personal time blur. The Matzak principle, which introduces objective limitations on devotion to personal and social interests, offers a framework for addressing these challenges. By considering potential applications in the digital realm, the article emphasises the importance of protecting worker well-being and rest periods, consistent with the objectives of the Working Time Directive. In conclusion, the Matzak case has had a significant impact on Belgian jurisprudence regarding the working time of volunteer firefighters and the adjudication of stand-by periods. While challenges and ambiguities persist, the ruling has spurred a reassessment of legal frameworks and encouraged greater recognition of the rights of volunteer workers. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the Matzak principle provides a valuable tool for navigating complex issues of work-life balance and ensuring the protection of workers’ rights.

中文翻译：

---

马扎克案之前、之后和之后：比利时判例概述

马扎克案是欧盟法院 (CJEU) 的一项具有里程碑意义的裁决，挑战了对工作时间和休息时间的传统理解，特别是对比利时志愿消防员而言。尽管比利时法院此前曾审理过此类案件，但马扎克案的判决给判例带来了重大转变，影响了志愿者的分类方式以及待命时间的解释方式。本文探讨了马扎克判决对比利时判例法的影响，追溯了其从马扎克判决前的裁决到判决后解释的演变。该研究分析了最高法院和宪法法院的裁决，探讨了将志愿者重新定义为雇员以及将待命时间视为工作时间的资格。突显出比利时法院不愿意在马扎克案之前调整其关于待命义务的观点，并始终坚持西马普案中确立的原则。然而，马扎克的裁决引发了人们对志愿消防员待遇和法律区别是否充分的质疑。尽管最初遭到抵制，但随后的案件对之前的解释提出了质疑，导致最高法院做出了澄清。正如西蒙案中所见，模糊性仍然存在，引发了人们对马扎克判例的一致适用的担忧。比利时志愿消防员的独特地位带来了挑战，因为他们在权利和工作条件方面处于法律灰色地带。敦促各市政府在缺乏一般性立法的情况下规范其工作时间。尽管如此，欧盟法院承认消防员为工人，这为他们在欧盟法律下的法律地位提供了保证。人们越来越认识到志愿者和专业人员之间的可比性，这表明应采取更公平的待遇。除了 Matzak 之外，本文还探讨了不断发展的数字工作场所的影响，其中工作和个人时间之间的界限变得模糊。马扎克原则引入了对个人和社会利益的奉献的客观限制，为应对这些挑战提供了一个框架。通过考虑数字领域的潜在应用，本文强调了保护工人福祉和休息时间的重要性，这与工作时间指令的目标一致。总之，马扎克案对比利时有关志愿消防员工作时间和待命期裁决的判例产生了重大影响。尽管挑战和模糊性依然存在，但该裁决引发了对法律框架的重新评估，并鼓励更多地承认志愿工人的权利。随着数字环境的不断发展，马扎克原则为解决工作与生活平衡的复杂问题和确保保护工人权利提供了宝贵的工具。