Belgium is set to experience significant disruptions this week due to a three-day national strike organized by unions. The action is a response to Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s proposals aimed at reducing the country’s debt by altering labor laws, as well as reforming unemployment benefits and pensions.
Various sectors, including teachers, medical personnel, and waste collectors, are participating in the industrial action, which will culminate in a general strike on Wednesday. Eurostar has indicated potential delays, and both major airports—Bruxelles-Zaventem and Charleroi—have announced that all departure flights will be canceled that day.
The strike comes after several earlier protests since De Wever, a Flemish nationalist, assumed office in February leading a center-right coalition government focused on addressing the budget deficit. On Monday, De Wever’s government finalized a budget agreement, stating that this was necessary to ensure the sustainability of Belgium’s welfare state. As of the end of last year, the country’s budget deficit was reported at 4.5% of GDP, with total debt at 104.7% of GDP. The European Union mandates that member states maintain a budget deficit below 3% and keep debt under 60%.
The strike’s schedule is divided into phases: on Monday, public transport, including trains, began striking, with the national railroad company SNCB anticipating operating only one or two out of three trains. Schools, childcare centers, and hospitals are expected to join in on Tuesday, while all sectors, including airports, will participate in the general strike on Wednesday.
In recent statements, the general workers union FGTB remarked that previous demonstrations in Brussels had been met with no response from the government. Key issues raised by the unions include fair pensions, a wealth tax, a digital services tax for major tech companies, and transparency in corporate subsidies. Additionally, a separate day of action against violence toward women took place on Sunday, linked to the current strike activities.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0jew0lyv98o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss