Belgium is bracing for widespread disruption in sectors such as public transport and schools this week, as unions stage a three-day national strike.
The action was launched in response to Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s attempts to reduce Belgium’s debt by changing labor laws and reforming unemployment benefits and pensions.
Teachers, medical staff and garbage collectors will all join the ongoing industrial action which is expected to end in a general strike on Wednesday.
Eurostar is among organizations warning of possible disruption, while the two main airports have informed customers that all departing flights will be canceled on Wednesday.
The country had already been hit by several strikes since Wever, a Flemish nationalist, came to power in February at the head of a center-right coalition government aimed at reducing the budget deficit.
On Monday morning, his government reached a budget agreement which he said was the only way to “guarantee the sustainability” of the Belgian welfare state.
The country’s budget deficit stood at 4.5% of GDP at the end of last year and the debt stood at 104.7% of GDP.
EU budgetary rules stipulate that member states must keep their budget deficit below 3% and their debt below 60% to maintain healthy public finances.
This week’s industrial action is expected to take place in three stages, notes the AFP news agency:
- Trains and other public transport went on strike on Monday, with national railway company SNCB expecting to run one or two trains out of three, and several Eurostar services linking Brussels to Paris canceled.
- On Tuesday, public services such as schools, nurseries and hospitals join them.
- On Wednesday, a widespread general strike covers all categories, including the two main airports, Brussels-Zaventem and Charleroi.
Warning of the consequences of the strike in Belgium, Eurostar reported that some of its other international services had suffered delays as a result.
Defending the action, the general workers’ union FGTB said a demonstration in Brussels two weeks ago was met with “total silence” from the government.
Fair pensions are a central issue cited by unions, while other demands include a fair wealth tax, a digital activities tax for tech giants and transparent oversight of business subsidies.
A day of action against violence against women took place separately on Sunday, which, according to the FGTB, is part of the ongoing action.
Brussels-Zaventem Airport announced that it expected “major disruptions” to its operations on Wednesday, with the cancellation of all departing flights and some possible cancellations for arriving flights as well.
The airport said staff from its security and handling services provider should take part in the national industrial action.
Charleroi Airport also said it would not be able to operate scheduled departures and arrivals on the day of the general strike, while warning passengers of potential disruptions to public service networks for the duration of the strike.
The City of Brussels warned of “disruptions” to its public transport throughout the three days of action, while transport company De Lijn, which operates in Flanders, announced that there would be “fewer bus and tram services”.
