Belgium was paralysed by a nationwide general strike in the public sector on Tuesday 31 May. The unions had called the strike to protest against the enormously rising cost of living. The demands were thus for more staff, higher pensions, more investment in the public sector, help to cope with inflation, less workload and, above all, better pay.
The consequences of the strike were considerable. Train traffic was largely at a standstill. In the provinces of Liège, Namur and Luxembourg, train services were even completely suspended.
Public transport was also severely affected by the strike, so that most buses and trams in the country were cancelled. Well over half of the country's post offices remained closed all day, including mail sorting centres. Schools and day-care centres also remained closed. A new general strike is called for 20 June. For this one, colleagues from the private sector are also called to participate.
The large turnout for the general strike in Belgium shows the explosive power of the current situation. Belgium has now reached an inflation rate of over eight per cent. More and more people no longer know how to pay their living costs. Inaction would be exactly the wrong thing to do, and so it is right that the Belgian workers lay down their work and fight for their demands.
