News Content
Transport strike hits Belgium to protest state austerity measures
A NATIONWIDE strike in Belgium has brought air, rail and road transport to a halt and forced many businesses to close, in protest over government austerity, reports the BBC News.
The newly elected conservative government, headed by Prime Minister Charles Michel, 38, the youngest PM since 1841, plans to save EUR11 billion (US$13.7 billion) in five years.
Hundreds of flights to and from Belgium have been cancelled, as well as Eurostar services to Brussels. The 24-hour strike is the largest to have taken place in Belgium for many years.
Specifically, strikers oppose Mr Michel's decision to scrap a cost-of-living wage rise next year supporting current law that mandates wages to rise at the same pace as inflation.
They are also protesting against public sector cutbacks and plans to increase the retirement age.
The newly elected conservative government, headed by Prime Minister Charles Michel, 38, the youngest PM since 1841, plans to save EUR11 billion (US$13.7 billion) in five years.
Hundreds of flights to and from Belgium have been cancelled, as well as Eurostar services to Brussels. The 24-hour strike is the largest to have taken place in Belgium for many years.
Specifically, strikers oppose Mr Michel's decision to scrap a cost-of-living wage rise next year supporting current law that mandates wages to rise at the same pace as inflation.
They are also protesting against public sector cutbacks and plans to increase the retirement age.
Latest News
- For the first time, tianjin Port realized the whole process of dock operati...
- From January to August, piracy incidents in Asia increased by 38%!The situa...
- Quasi-conference TSA closes as role redundant in mega merger world
- Singapore says TPP, born again as CPTPP, is now headed for adoption
- Antwerp posts 5th record year with boxes up 4.3pc to 10 million TEU
- Savannah lifts record 4 million TEU in '17 as it deepens port
