Industrial action in Belgium this week aims to address various austerity measures affecting public services. The strike, which has unfolded in stages, began on Monday and targets multiple sectors, including transportation.
Impact on Belgian Airports and Transport Services
Brussels Airport at Zaventem anticipates significant disruptions to its operations on Wednesday. Flights departing from the airport have been entirely canceled, with incoming flights also facing potential cancellations. This disruption is due to staff participation in the national strike.
Charleroi Airport has reported similar challenges. It will halt both scheduled departures and arrivals during the strike, warning passengers of possible disruptions across public service networks.
Public Transport Under Strain
Public transport services are also heavily impacted. The national railroad company, SNCB, predicts that only one or two out of every three trains will run. Eurostar trains connecting Brussels to Paris experienced cancellations and delays due to the strike.
Brussels City officials warned of “disrupted services” on public transport throughout the three days of action. In Flanders, transport operator De Lijn announced a decrease in the number of bus and tram services available during the strike.
Union Demands and Societal Issues
The strike is organized by the general workers’ union FGTB, which stated that previous demonstrations went unanswered by the government. Their demands focus on fair pensions, a wealth tax, a digital services tax targeting tech giants, and transparency in corporate subsidies.
Additionally, a separate day of action against violence toward women occurred prior to the strike, reinforcing the unions’ call for change.
Conclusion
As the strike progresses, sectors across Belgium continue to face significant challenges. Airport operations, train services, and public transport are all affected, highlighting widespread discontent with current austerity measures.
