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Roundup: Belgian public services workers on strike against gov't austerity measures

Xinhua, June 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

Thousands of trade unionists held demonstrations in Brussels on Tuesday in support of the public service workers' strike against the austerity measures approved by the Belgian federal government.

An action plan that was announced in a common front by the Belgian trade unions (CSC, FGTB and CGSLB) early May included organizing a rally in support of public services' action on Tuesday.

The General Confederation of Public Services (CGSP) called for a strike on Thursday last week, urging affiliates to "continue the movement until the collapse of the government" which they say "remains deaf" to face union demands.

"The situation for public services is dramatic. It is urgent that a dialogue is established. We want the government to come to us with proposals," said Alphonse Vanderhaeghe, vice president of CSC public services.

"We want the respect for the status of civil servants... we want the government to stop attacking the civil servants' working conditions and their pension to make savings in the public service," Vanderhaeghe said.

For his part, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel recalled Tuesday his openness to dialogue and the need for reforms.

The federal government is open to dialogue, Michel reiterated Tuesday, after the demonstrations of the country's public services. The head of government, however, stressed the importance of the reforms he leads and his intention to stay the course.

"The federal government is open to dialogue and consultation to continue the initiated reforms. These reforms are essential to ensure sustainable funding of our solidarity," Michel said in a statement. According to him, reforms in public services "are designed to project them into modernity and to ensure their future."

Media reports said nearly 10,000 union activists participated in demonstrations in Brussels Tuesday while police put the number at around 7,500. Industrial actions were also seen in south Belgium's Liege, Namur, Mons and Charleroi on Tuesday. In Wavre, the town of Prime Minister Charles Michel, about 400 demonstrators rallied in front of the City Hall.

Traffic disruptions affected the while country following the strike of public services. Bus traffic network DeLijn in the Flemish Region was heavily affected and services of the CET network in Walloon Region almost completely ceased.

Disturbances also hit the post offices, the airports, and in some schools in Brussels and in Walloon Region. Trains traffic Thalys were also impacted.

The general strike of public services is in addition to the strike at the National Society of Belgian Railways (SNCB) that started from Wednesday last week.

CGSP Railwaymen, a railway trade union, has filed a strike notice on the rail for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Endit