Unions expect major turnout at Tuesday's national demonstration
Belgian trade unions are expecting a major turnout at Tuesday's national protest against the government's austerity measures. The country is bracing itself for serious disruption to air traffic and public transport.
For months, the ACV, ABVV and ACLVB unions have been campaigning against government policy. Tuesday's demonstration, in which protesters will march through the streets of Brussels, is set to be the culmination of these efforts.
The unions are comparing the expected turnout to that of a demonstration in 2014, which saw over 100,000 people take to the streets to protest austerity measures.
Tuesday's demonstration is aimed at federal policies that will force people to work longer and harder, according to the unions. They are protesting against cuts to pensions and unemployment benefits, and a potential freeze on wage indexation, among other things.
'Strong signal'
Belgians are experiencing a sense of imbalance and injustice over the cuts and reforms, according to the trade unions. "People are having to make more and more sacrifices while tax revenues are falling and the government is spending billions on defence," said ABVV spokesperson Daan Nelen. "That feels unfair," he said.
"We do indeed feel that this is a live issue," said ACLVB spokesperson Kurt Van Hissenhoven. "We want to send a strong signal," he said.
In addition to the trade unions, peace movements, anti-poverty organisations, mutual health insurance funds, environmental groups and others will also take to the streets on Tuesday.
Major disruptions
On Monday, the Brussels police announced that they expect major traffic disruptions throughout the capital region. All public transport services operating in Brussels expect serious disruption to their networks.
Brussels Airport will not operate any departing passenger flights
Strikes will also cause disruption outside Brussels. In Flanders, four out of ten buses and trams will not be running on Tuesday.
Brussels Airport will not operate any departing passenger flights on Tuesday, and arriving flights may also be affected. At Charleroi Airport, all flights have been cancelled.
The wider commercial sector has been urged to participate, but the potential impact on shops remains unclear. The demonstration may also cause disruption to services such as waste collection, city services, and childcare.
A national demonstration against planned pension reforms in Brussels on 13 January 2025 © BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT
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