Thousands march in Brussels against government pension reforms
Between 40,000 and 70,000 people marched in Brussels, organised by the country’s three main trade unions to protest against the federal government’s “anti-social” reforms.
Between 40,000 and 70,000 demonstrators expressed discontent over federal reforms, highlighting significant public opposition to government policies affecting pensions and wage indexation.
“The pension reform leaves workers worse off,” stated a representative from the trade unions, characterising the government’s actions as “anti-social.”
Key developments
Between 40,000 and 70,000 individuals participated in a national demonstration in Brussels, responding to a call from Belgium’s three main trade unions against government reforms deemed “anti-social”.
The rally focused on key concerns including pensions, purchasing power, and the automatic indexation of wages, which unions argue negatively impact workers’ livelihoods.
Due to the protest, public transport experienced reduced service, and Charleroi Airport cancelled all flights for the day, disrupting travel across the country.
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Between 40,000 and 70,000 people marched through the streets of Brussels on Tuesday. The demonstrators gathered at the call of the country’s three main trade unions to denounce the federal government’s reforms, which the trade unions consider to be “anti-social”.
The main issues and demands of the demonstration: pensions, purchasing power and automatic wage indexation.
Unions have condemned a pension reform that leaves workers worse off. They have also condemned an attack on the automatic indexation of wages.
The rally took place against a backdrop of soaring energy prices caused by the war in the Middle East.
This national demonstration is part of a trade union campaign led for the past year and a half by workers’ representatives against the ruling coalition government led by Prime minister Bart De Wever, a Flemish nationalist.
Public transport across the country was running at a reduced service. Charleroi Airport cancelled all flights scheduled for the day.
The last national demonstration, on March 12, had drawn between 80,000 and 100,000 people to Brussels.