Belgian airports to go on strike over austerity measures

Belgium is holding a three-day nationwide strike this week as it prepares for widespread disruption across sectors including public transport and schools.

The move comes in response to Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s attempts to reduce Belgium’s debt by amending labor laws and reforming unemployment benefits and pensions.

Teachers, medical staff and waste collectors are all set to join rolling strike action, which will end with a general strike on Wednesday.

Eurostar was among the organizations to warn of possible disruption, while two major airports have informed customers that all departing flights will be canceled on Wednesday.

The country has suffered several strikes since Flemish nationalist de Wever took office in February, leading a center-right coalition government aimed at cutting the budget deficit.

Earlier on Monday, his government struck a budget deal that he said was the only way to “guarantee the sustainability of Belgium’s welfare state.”

As of the end of last year, the country’s budget deficit accounted for 4.5% of GDP and its debt accounted for 104.7% of GDP.

EU budget rules stipulate that member states should control budget deficits below 3% and debt below 60% to maintain good public finances.

Agence France-Presse pointed out that this week’s strike action will be carried out in three stages:

• There was a strike on trains and other public transport on Monday, with national rail company SNCB expected to operate one or two of its three trains and several Eurostar services linking Brussels and Paris canceled.

• On Tuesday, public services such as schools, nurseries and hospitals also joined in

• On Wednesday, a general strike was launched covering all categories, including at the two main airports of Brussels-Zaventem and Charleroi.

Warning of impact of strike action in Belgium, Eurostar reported delays on some of its other international flights therefore.

The general trade union FGTB defended the action, saying a demonstration in Brussels two weeks ago was met with “complete silence” from the government.

Fair pensions were a core issue cited by the unions, while other demands included a fair wealth tax, a tax on the digital activities of tech giants and transparent screening of corporate subsidies.

A separate day of action against violence against women was also held on Sunday, which the FGTB said was part of ongoing action.

Brussels-Zaventem Airport said it expected “significant disruption” to operations on Wednesday, with all departing flights canceled and some incoming flights also likely to be cancelled.

The airport said staff from its security and handling services providers were expected to take part in nationwide strike action.

Charleroi Airport similarly said it would not be able to operate scheduled departure or arrival flights on the day of the general strike, while it also warned passengers that public service networks may be disrupted throughout the strike.

The city of Brussels warned of “service disruptions” on its public transport lines during the three-day operation, while transport company De Lijn, which operates in Flanders, said there would be “reduced bus and tram services”.