Belgium Faces Nationwide Strike Over Budget Cuts

Upset by Belgium’s new coalition government’s plans for budget cutting, public and private workers walked off their jobs on Monday, March 31, for a 24-hour strike that paralyzed many parts of Belgium for the day. The disruptions, initiated by the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, are expected to last until Tuesday, with the recovery process estimated to take days.

The European Transport Workers’ Federation expressed solidarity with the Belgium Trade Union Confederation, which spearheaded the nationwide strike in protest of planned cuts to pensions, labor market reforms, and reductions in the public service sector. The overarching demand from all groups involved was to safeguard pensions and ensure fair working conditions.

According to the ETF, transport workers are facing severe challenges, including budget cuts, job insecurity, and diminishing collective bargaining rights. The federation criticized the government’s approach, stating that instead of investing in the workforce and public services, it is steering the country in the wrong direction.

Impact on Ports and Other Services

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges, managing Antwerp and Zeebrugge, encountered significant disruptions, leading to delays and backlogs. With only a few ships able to operate throughout the day, a backlog of around 50 ships accumulated. The port authorities anticipate it will take one to two days to clear the backlog once operations resume.

Zeebrugge experienced a complete blockage, halting all seagoing vessel activities. Similarly, Brussels Airport canceled all outbound flights for the day, affecting incoming flights as well. Public services, including the post office and garbage collection, were at a standstill, and some schools closed their doors. Public transportation services were also disrupted across the country.

Government’s Austerity Plan

The current government, in power since February, introduced an austerity plan encompassing sweeping cuts across various sectors of the economy. Today’s strike marks the second major protest against these planned austerity measures.