FOCUS – Two-day strike partly paralyses Belgium, 140 flights cancelled

Brussels, 8 October /ATSH-DPA/ – The main trade unions in Belgium have called for two days of protests, on Friday and Monday. Because of the strike, problems are expected in air and rail transport, as well as in some public services.

Around 140 flights to and from Brussels airport are expected to be cancelled on Friday, after a company that provides ground services for aircraft announced it would join the strike, the Belgian news agency “Belga” reported today.

Charleroi airport, the second largest in Belgium, plans to operate all scheduled flights.

The national rail company SNCB has announced that fewer trains will run from Sunday evening until Monday, as many railway workers are expected to join the strike.

According to service providers, the strike is also expected to affect public transport, education and waste collection, among other services.

The Christian trade unions CSC and the Socialist FGTB are jointly organising the protests, in opposition to the government’s budget policies.

A protest in Brussels on Friday is expected to gather thousands of people.

A similar protest in May drew between 40,000 and 75,000 participants, according to police and trade union estimates.

Belgium faces high public debt and has long had a large budget deficit.

The centre-right government, led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever, has set itself the target of saving 10 billion euros by the end of its mandate in 2029.

De Wever is expected to speak in the Belgian parliament on Tuesday.

According to the “Belga” media, Belgium must present its draft budget to the European Commission by 15 October.