Striking workers disrupt Belgium despite new budget deal

Belgium experienced widespread disruption on November 26 as trade unions staged the final day of a three-day strike against government austerity measures, with parts of the private sector joining for the first time.

According to Euronews report, public transport remained heavily affected, although more buses, trams, and trains were running compared to earlier in the week. 

The education sector also faced interruptions, with some teachers striking for a second consecutive day.

The country’s airports were severely impacted. Charleroi Airport suspended all arrivals and departures, citing a lack of staff to ensure safe operations, while Brussels Airport cancelled all departures and warned of possible delays for incoming flights. “Due to the national day of action planned for November 26 by a united front of trade unions and the lack of staff available to ensure safe operations, Charleroi Airport will not be able to operate scheduled departures and arrivals,” the airport stated.

Ports in Flanders also suffered operational setbacks, with dozens of vessels unable to enter or leave Antwerp, Ghent, and Zeebrugge.

The strikes were organised by Belgium’s three largest trade unions, coinciding with the announcement of a long-delayed budget deal by the five-party coalition government on Monday, following 20 hours of negotiations. The agreement includes tax hikes on certain products and services and cuts in government spending, aiming to reduce the federal deficit by €9.2 billion by 2029.

Belgium ended 2024 with a budget deficit of 4.5% and national debt exceeding 100% of GDP, far above EU limits, which cap deficits at 3% and debt at 60% of GDP.

Reactions to the budget deal were mixed. Trade unions welcomed some measures but argued the agreement fell short of their demands. “I don’t think it’s a balanced agreement,” said ABVV Chair Bert Engelaar. “This is only a first step. More measures will likely have to follow to address Belgium’s deficit.”

Politicians involved in the negotiations acknowledged the difficulty of reaching a compromise. Prime Minister Bart De Wever echoed this sentiment, quoting Winston Churchill: “This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is perhaps the end of the beginning.”

Frustration over the government’s fiscal plans has fueled an unprecedented wave of labour action. Belgium has already endured 25 train strikes this year, with teacher walkouts reaching record levels. For the first time since 2001, teachers staged strikes on two consecutive days.

By Tamilla Hasanova