Thousands take to streets of Brussels in protest at new government's plans
Tens of thousands of people are protesting in Brussels on Thursday against measures in the new federal coalition agreement.
The action follows a demonstration on 13 January, before the government was formed, against pension reform plans. Now that the coalition agreement has been announced, trade unions are focusing their attention on measures including a stricter approach to unemployment, the abolition of the welfare budget, pension adjustments and cutbacks in public services.
Unions expected more than 50,000 people to take part in the latest protest, with disruption to many sectors including transport, the prison service and waste collection. There will also be several days of rail strikes by two independent trade unions at the end of February and a general strike organised by ABVV and ACV on 31 March.
By 11.30, the procession stretched from Trône metro station to Gare du Nord. As well as unions, members of civil society organisations such as Unia, Greenpeace, Amnesty, the Walloon Network Against Poverty and mutual insurance companies were also present.
The army unions ACMP and VSOA Defence expected 3,000 to 4,000 soldiers to attend Thursday's demonstration. New Defence minister Theo Francken of N-VA withdrew service exemption for the action, meaning soldiers must take leave for the day as they do not have the right to strike.
The fact that the turnout is so high shows the level of discontent, says VSOA Defence president Chris Huybrechts.
"I don’t think the government realises what a catastrophic impact that will have"
“With what has now been announced, we will have to work 11 years longer for 500 to 600 euros less per month,” he said. “I don’t think the government realises what a catastrophic impact that will have.”
Social dialogue
Flemish self-employed organisation Unizo calls the actions “harmful to our economy and the future of our country” and calls for social dialogue.
“Many of the measures the unions are now mobilising against are necessary so that our children and grandchildren can also enjoy a pension and health insurance,” said CEO Danny Van Assche.
In the midst of a wave of bankruptcies with massive job losses, the action is unhelpful, according to Bart Steukers, CEO of the federation of technology companies Agoria.
“Strikes, especially in the current enormously difficult circumstances, push companies even further into trouble and put the very jobs we are fighting so hard for together at risk,” he said.
At Brussels Airport, the departure hall was virtually empty on Thursday morning, as 430 flights were cancelled due to strike action by air traffic controllers, security services and handling agents. No planes landed or departed. On a normal Thursday, 60,000 passengers would travel via the airport.
“This is not something we experience often,” a spokesperson said. “We regret the impact the action has had on our passengers.”
Friday is expected to be exceptionally busy as passengers travel on rebooked flights.
Public transport in Brussels will also be disrupted all day on Thursday as demonstrators march through the city. The latest information can be found on the website of operator STIB.
Union members in Brussels, 13 February 2025 © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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