In brief
A national strike in Belgium has led to widespread protests as tens of thousands gather in Brussels against Prime Minister Bart de Wever's government reforms, including pension changes and budget cuts. Key public transportation services, including flights and local transport, have been severely affected. Unions express concerns over the rights of workers, as they rally against perceived austerity measures and increased workload demands.
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 largest airport at Charleroi, and all departures and many of the arrivals were cancelled at Brussels Airport. While trains were operational, most buses, trams, and underground trains in the capital ground to a halt. Shipping at Europe's second biggest port Antwerp was suspended until Wednesday due to understaffing, with over 100 ships waiting in the North Sea for docking permissions.By midday, local police reported around 80,000 protesters had participated in the demonstration. Public sector workers expressed their disapproval of the austerity measures and the government's perceived shift towards the right. Many protestors donned their unions' colors—red and green—while voicing their grievances regarding increased workload and the controversial plan to raise the pension age.As demonstrations unfolded, a protestor named Anaïs stated, It's about time we came together. It's always the same part of the population that has to tighten their belts. The government's proposal to hike the number of working years required for pension eligibility has provoked notable backlash, especially concerning its implications for military and railway workers and a two-year cap on unemployment benefits.Thierry Bodson of the ABVV union assured crowds that the fight against the De Wever government extends beyond a single day, representing a struggle for an entire generation. Despite the largely peaceful nature of the protests, some vandalism and confrontations with police were reported. As Belgians take to the streets, the ongoing dialogue around economic policy and social rights remains at a critical juncture.
