Photo: wikimedia
Belgium is gripped by a large-scale nationwide strike that has paralysed key sectors of the country’s economy. Since Monday morning, all flights from the country’s main airports – Brussels-Zaventem and Charleroi– have been cancelled, causing difficulties for thousands of passengers, including citizens of other EU countries, BRFreports.
The protest, organised by the largest trade unions CSC and FGTB, was joined by workers in education, healthcare, public transport, and government agencies. They oppose the abolition of special pension regimes and the increase in the retirement age for civil servants to 66, in line with the private sector.
Amid the protests, the country’s transport system suffered serious disruptions. In Brussels, the metro, buses and trams stopped, and ferry services in the North Sea and the port of Ghent were blocked.
The government coalition led by Prime Minister Bart DeWeever says the reform is necessary for the country’s financial stability, as pension costs could rise by €14 billion over the next five years. However, trade unions call the measures “unprecedented social regression“.
Mass mobilisation has been going on since the summer of 2024. On 13 February, the largest demonstration in recent years took place in Brussels, with 60,000 participants.
The protests may intensify as the government is also considering limiting unemployment benefits to two years, which has sparked a new wave of discontent.
