Belgium faces closed schools and major transport problems as unions begin three days of strikes again on Monday, November 24th, to protest planned spending cuts and labour law reforms.
The strike will unfold in stages: transport workers on Monday, public services such as schools and hospitals on Tuesday, and a full general strike on Wednesday when no flights are expected from the two main airports.
Unions are protesting ‘weak’ Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s plan to reduce Belgium’s high public debt through major reforms. Progress has been slow because of disagreements within his five-party coalition.
Union leaders accuse the Prime Minister of showing “contempt” for workers; meanwhile, his office has declined to comment. A similar protest in October drew tens of thousands of people. It all adds to the growing sense that Belgium is a nation in crisis.
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