This week’s industrial action is meant to unfold in three stages, AFP news agency notes:
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Trains and other public transport went on strike on Monday, with national railroad company SNCB expecting to run one or two out of three trains, and several Eurostar services linking Brussels to Paris cancelled
Warning of the effect of the strike action in Belgium, Eurostar reported that some of its other international services had suffered delays , externalas a result.
Defending the action, general workers union FGTB said a demonstration in Brussels two weeks ago had been met with “total silence” from the government.
Fair pensions is a core issue cited by the unions while other demands include a fair wealth tax, a tax on digital activities for tech giants and the transparent screening of subsidies to companies.
A day of action against violence against women separately took place on Sunday which the FGTB said formed part of the current action.
Bruxelles-Zaventem airport has said it expects “major disruptions” to operations on Wednesday with all departure flights cancelled and some cancellations also possible for incoming flights.
The airport said that staff from their security and handling service provider were expected to be participating in the national industrial action.
Charleroi airport has similarly said it will not be able to operate either scheduled departures or arrivals on the day of the general strike – as it also warned passengers of potential disruption on public service networks throughout the strike period.
The City of Brussels has warned of “disrupted services” on its public transport links throughout the three days of action while transport company, De Lijn, which operates in Flanders has advised there will be “fewer bus and tram services”.
