Belgium is preparing for significant interruptions across various sectors, including transportation and education, this week as unions initiate a three-day national strike.
The strike was organized in reaction to Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s efforts to reduce Belgium’s debt by amending labor regulations and reforming unemployment compensation and pension systems.
Educators, healthcare personnel, and waste collectors will participate in the ongoing industrial action that is expected to culminate in a general strike on Wednesday.
Eurostar is among the entities cautioning about possible disruptions, whilst the two primary airports have informed travelers that all departing flights will be cancelled on Wednesday.
The nation has already experienced multiple strikes since de Wever, a pro-Flemish nationalist, assumed office in February leading a center-right coalition endeavoring to curb the budget deficit.
Early on Monday, his administration reached a budget consensus which he claimed was the sole path to “ensure the sustainability” of Belgium’s welfare system.
Belgium’s budget deficit was recorded at 4.5% of GDP by the end of last year, with debt reaching 104.7% of GDP.
EU fiscal regulations mandate that member countries maintain their budget deficit below 3% and debt under 60% to uphold healthy public finances.
This week’s industrial actions are intended to unfold in three phases, according to AFP news agency:
- Public transport, including trains, began striking on Monday, with the national railway, SNCB, anticipating to operate one or two out of every three trains, while several Eurostar services connecting Brussels to Paris have been cancelled
- On Tuesday, public services including schools, nurseries, and hospitals will join the strike
- On Wednesday, a comprehensive general strike will affect all sectors, including the two main airports, Bruxelles-Zaventem and Charleroi.
Cautioning about the repercussions of the strike actions in Belgium, Eurostar indicated that some of its other international services faced delays due to the situation.
In support of the strike, the general workers union FGTB stated that a demonstration held in Brussels two weeks prior had received “complete silence” from the government.
Just pensions is a key matter highlighted by the unions, alongside other requests for a fair wealth tax, a tax on digital operations for major tech firms, and the transparent assessment of subsidies granted to companies.
Separately, a day of action against violence toward women took place on Sunday, which the FGTB mentioned was part of the ongoing mobilization.
Bruxelles-Zaventem airport has indicated it anticipates “significant disruptions” on Wednesday, leading to the cancellation of all departing flights, with potential cancellations observed for incoming flights as well.
The airport noted that personnel from their security and handling service provider are expected to take part in the national strike.
Charleroi airport has similarly expressed that it will be unable to facilitate either scheduled departures or arrivals on the day of the general strike, while also warning passengers about possible disruptions on public transport throughout the strike days.
The City of Brussels has warned of “disrupted services” in its public transportation throughout the three-day action, while the transport company, De Lijn, which operates in Flanders, has indicated that there will be “reduced bus and tram services”.
