Belgium: 3-day strike against De Wever government’s reform plans

Brussels, 24 Nov. (LaPresse) – Belgium will be partially paralysed at the beginning of this week due to a three-day strike called by the joint trade union front against Bart De Wever’s government reform plans. Today, public transport will be suspended, tomorrow public services will be on strike, culminating on Wednesday 26 November with a national cross-sector strike. The FGTB, CSC and CGSLB unions are calling on the De Wever government for greater fiscal fairness and a review of corporate subsidies, and for “every salary to be subject to social security contributions”, while continuing to criticise pension reforms and changes to employment status in various professions. The railway unions have announced their intention to strike for three days, joined by the independent train drivers’ union (SACT). The three public transport companies, STIB, TEC and De Lijn, will also observe a three-day strike. On Wednesday, no planes will take off from Brussels Airport and some arriving flights will also be affected. The situation will be similar at Charleroi Airport, which will not handle any flights, either departing or arriving.