31 March strike: Hundreds of artists protest in Brussels and Antwerp

Hundreds of artists, actors and staff from the cultural sector are protesting on Brussels' Place de la Monnaie and Antwerp’s Operaplein against the planned reforms of the federal government, as part of the national strike on Monday. They denounce the possible reform of the artists' statute, the special administrative status of artists.

The protesters fear the changes, as part of unemployment benefit reforms, will affect 8,000 people, with a major effect on pensions and benefits for artists.

“The new government wants art workers to work 156 days a year to be entitled to a full pension, which is impossible for many artists, resulting in sharply reduced pensions,” said the Christian trade union ACV.

In addition, federal Employment minister David Clarinval wants to cut the art work allowance, including the time limitation to a maximum of two years. “For a sector with low wages and short contracts, the art work allowance is often the only way to make ends meet,” the union said.

Brussels Groen politician Lotte Stoops, who comes from the sector, was present at the action and “very emotional” about the possible reforms. “Many people have not yet realised all that will disappear if you do not give artists and the cultural sector the space to work,” she said. She called on the socialists of Vooruit, part of the federal government, to fight against the reform.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Demonstration of the cultural sector in Brussels as part of the national strike on 31 March 2025 © PHOTO BELPRESS}

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