Belgium Braces for Three-Day National Strike Over Budget Cuts and Labour Reforms

Belgium is set for major disruptions as unions call for a three-day national strike starting Monday, protesting the government’s proposed spending cuts and labour law changes

Schools, public services, and transport are expected to be heavily affected

The strikes will occur in three phases. On Monday, trains and public transport services will be hit, with the national railroad company SNCB running only two out of three trains or even one in three on certain lines

Several Eurostar services connecting Brussels to Paris have already been cancelled

Tuesday will see public services including schools, creches, and hospitals join the strike

On Wednesday, unions have called a full general strike, covering all sectors, with no flights expected at Belgium’s two main airports, Brussels-Zaventem and Charleroi

The main Belgian unions organized the strikes in response to Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s austerity measures aimed at reducing the country’s high national debt

De Wever, in power since February, has proposed structural reforms affecting the labour market, unemployment benefits, and pensions

 Also read : Rigathi Gachagua Says Raila Odinga Was Not a Good Choice for 2022 Presidency

However, progress has been slow due to divisions within his five-party coalition. He has given coalition members until Christmas to agree on spending cuts, including a proposed increase in the military budget

“The strike is an appeal to Prime Minister De Wever and the government to halt the dismantling of social programs,” the unions said in a press release

The socialist union FGTB accused the Prime Minister of showing “contempt” and “disrespect” toward the movement. De Wever’s office declined to comment

Earlier protests in mid-October drew tens of thousands of demonstrators to Brussels, denouncing what they called “brutal” budget cuts

Writer : Mweru Mbugua