A one-day strike in Belgium against the government’s planned cuts in various social expenditures brought life to a standstill. At the call of Belgium’s largest labor unions, numerous workers went on a one-day strike to protest austerity measures planned by the federal government, especially cuts in social expenditure like unemployment and retirement benefits. The strike, which saw massive participation from the public and private sectors, significantly disrupted services nationwide. In particular, the participation of workers providing baggage and security services in the strike adversely affected air transportation in the country. Departure flights could not be operated due to the participation of workers from Brussels and Charleroi airports in the strike.

MASS TRANSPORTATION AT A STANDSTILL
As railway workers joined the strike, a substantial portion of train services nationwide was canceled. The strike participation of public transport system personnel in Brussels led to the cancellation of almost all metro, bus, and tram services in the city. Workers from public transportation companies in the Flemish and Walloon regions also joined the strike. Mass transportation throughout the country came to a standstill.

EDUCATION HALTED, SERVICES DISRUPTED
Due to the significant participation of teachers in the strike, education was disrupted in some schools. Police officers, prison guards, and employees in port and postal services also drew attention with their collective action. The participation of municipal workers in the strike led to significant disruptions in various local services, such as garbage collection and childcare. Unions strongly criticize the new government’s planned cuts in social expenditures and austerity policies. Within this context, a widespread strike was organized on February 13th, bringing life to a halt.

REACTION TO GOVERNMENT’S AUSTERITY PLAN
The new government in Belgium prepared a program to reduce public expenditures. This program includes limiting and reducing the duration of unemployment benefits currently available indefinitely under certain conditions in Belgium. Also part of the government’s plans is the reduction of publicly supported programs offered in cases of career changes and unemployment. The government’s program also includes policies that tighten the conditions for retirement eligibility, labor market flexibility, the tightening of the system benefiting those with long-term illnesses, reforming the status of civil servants, determining retirement age and pay calculation, and changing the indexing system that automatically increases wages according to inflation. These policies involve significant changes in workers’ rights, drawing criticism from all unions and employees.