Belgium workers stage mass strike against austerity reforms

BRUSSELS, May 12 (EFE).— Thousands of workers marched through the streets of Brussels on Tuesday during a national strike against austerity measures promoted by the federal government amid rising economic pressure linked to the energy crisis.

The protests, organised by Belgian trade unions, disrupted key public services as demonstrators opposed reforms affecting wages, pensions and public spending introduced by Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s government.

Union representatives criticised the planned pension reform and wage freeze, arguing that workers are bearing the burden of inflation and rising prices caused by the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran. (Camera: OLATZ CASTRILLO).

FOOTAGE SHOWS THE WORKERS' STRIKE IN BRUSSELS, BELGIUM.

SOUNDBITE: FLORENCE LEPOIVRE, UNION REPRESENTATIVE (IN FRENCH).

TRANSLATION:

-For example, when it comes to automatic wage indexation. In Belgium, we have a very specific system that we value, under which wages rise when prices rise. And today, with a serious energy crisis due to the war in Ukraine but also the war in Iran—Trump’s war in Iran—prices are rising, and therefore, normally, wages should follow the same trend in Belgium. Except that this government has decided to freeze wages.

-Yes, indeed, tomorrow, today, and the day after tomorrow, Parliament will vote on the pension reform bill that introduces a penalty. And this penalty in Belgium will be harsher than in any other European country. Anyone who retires a year early will lose up to 5% of their pension. This means they could lose nearly 25% if they retire five years early. In Belgium, there are many sick people, many people nearing retirement age who suffer from some illness, and now they will be denied their pensions. If they retire early, their pension will be reduced.

-Every year we allocate 52 billion euros to companies—52 billion euros. That’s ten times more than what we spend on unemployment benefits in Belgium, for example. So there is money available. We just need to find it where it belongs. There’s also the problem that we tax workers heavily and companies very little, and the wealthiest pay very little in taxes. The wealthiest pay practically no taxes in Belgium. Therefore, we need to collect taxes where they belong. That’s all—we need to restore balance.