Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in Brussels as part of a national strike over government reforms and spending cuts that has brought flights to a halt and severely disrupted public transport. Belgium's three big unions are protesting over pensions and other measures by Prime Minister Bart de Wever's centre-right government aimed at cutting the budget deficit.
There were no services at Belgium's second biggest airport at Charleroi, and all departures and many of the arrivals were cancelled at Brussels Airport. Although trains were running, most buses, trams and underground trains in the capital ground to a halt.
Shipping at Europe's second biggest port Antwerp was suspended due to understaffing, and over 100 ships waited in the North Sea for permission to dock at three ports. Since Flemish nationalist Bart de Wever took office in February, Belgium has endured several strikes.
By midday, police reported that approximately 80,000 protesters had joined the demonstration in the capital. Public sector workers were particularly vocal against austerity measures attributed to a government perceived as leaning right, gathering under banners representing major unions.
A pivotal concern for the unions includes a proposed increase in the number of years citizens must work before pension eligibility, along with the termination of special provisions for sectors like military and rail workers. The government has also suggested capping unemployment benefits to two years and proposed reductions in child benefits, triggering widespread unrest.
The protests saw many individuals like Anaïs, a 29-year-old worker, voice their frustrations against governing policies they find unjust.
Thierry Bodson from the ABVV union emphasized that this struggle goes beyond a single event; it aims to secure future rights and benefits for generations to come. Citizens expressed fears over potential government measures and their implications for the future, particularly for children and public service sectors finding their jobs threatened due to increasing workload.
While largely peaceful, the strike witnessed occasional vandalism and clashes with police. Teachers and other education personnel also voiced concerns about imposed work increases in their sectors. As tensions rise, the trajectory of Belgium’s socio-political landscape remains precarious as citizens demand policy changes to safeguard their rights.
There were no services at Belgium's second biggest airport at Charleroi, and all departures and many of the arrivals were cancelled at Brussels Airport. Although trains were running, most buses, trams and underground trains in the capital ground to a halt.
Shipping at Europe's second biggest port Antwerp was suspended due to understaffing, and over 100 ships waited in the North Sea for permission to dock at three ports. Since Flemish nationalist Bart de Wever took office in February, Belgium has endured several strikes.
By midday, police reported that approximately 80,000 protesters had joined the demonstration in the capital. Public sector workers were particularly vocal against austerity measures attributed to a government perceived as leaning right, gathering under banners representing major unions.
A pivotal concern for the unions includes a proposed increase in the number of years citizens must work before pension eligibility, along with the termination of special provisions for sectors like military and rail workers. The government has also suggested capping unemployment benefits to two years and proposed reductions in child benefits, triggering widespread unrest.
The protests saw many individuals like Anaïs, a 29-year-old worker, voice their frustrations against governing policies they find unjust.
Thierry Bodson from the ABVV union emphasized that this struggle goes beyond a single event; it aims to secure future rights and benefits for generations to come. Citizens expressed fears over potential government measures and their implications for the future, particularly for children and public service sectors finding their jobs threatened due to increasing workload.
While largely peaceful, the strike witnessed occasional vandalism and clashes with police. Teachers and other education personnel also voiced concerns about imposed work increases in their sectors. As tensions rise, the trajectory of Belgium’s socio-political landscape remains precarious as citizens demand policy changes to safeguard their rights.
