Belgium is facing widespread disruption this week as unions stage a three-day national strike, protesting Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s proposed labour and welfare reforms. The coordinated industrial action, which began on Monday, affects public transport, schools, hospitals and major travel hubs.
Unions say the action is a direct response to the government’s efforts to shrink Belgium’s mounting debt by adjusting unemployment benefits, pension rules and wider labour laws. Workers across vital sectors — from teachers and medical staff to rubbish collectors — have committed to rolling action culminating in a full general strike on Wednesday.
The country had already experienced several walkouts since De Wever took office in February, leading a centre-right coalition vowing to curb the budget deficit. The government reached a budget agreement early Monday, with the prime minister calling it essential to “guarantee the sustainability” of Belgium’s welfare system.
Belgium’s deficit currently stands at 4.5% of GDP, while national debt has reached 104.7% — significantly above EU guidelines that recommend deficits remain below 3% and debt below 60%. According to unions, the reforms disproportionately target workers while leaving wealth inequality unaddressed.
The strike is unfolding in three coordinated phases. On Monday, rail and public transport services experienced severe disruption, with national operator SNCB running only one or two out of three scheduled trains. Several Eurostar services connecting Brussels to Paris were also cancelled, and delays rippled across international routes.
On Tuesday, schools, creches, hospitals and other key public services will join the action, likely bringing education and basic administrative functions to a halt. Unions say these sectors have suffered years of staffing shortages and budget pressure, worsened by recent economic constraints.
Wednesday is expected to see the largest impact, with a full general strike involving all sectors, including aviation. Both Bruxelles-Zaventem and Charleroi airports have announced that all departure flights will be cancelled, with incoming flights also likely affected. Security staff and ground handlers are expected to participate, making regular operations impossible.
Eurostar has warned passengers of further delays and cancellations, noting that the industrial action in Belgium has already caused knock-on effects across its wider network. Brussels city authorities have similarly advised residents to expect “disrupted services” throughout the strike period.
Unions argue the strike is necessary after weeks of what they describe as government “silence” following earlier demonstrations. The FGTB, one of Belgium’s largest trade unions, highlighted fair pensions, wealth taxation and transparency in corporate subsidies as core demands.
A separate nationwide mobilisation against violence toward women took place on Sunday, which the FGTB said forms part of the broader movement calling for social justice and better protection of vulnerable groups.
In Flanders, transport operator De Lijn has informed passengers to expect heavily reduced bus and tram services, while local authorities across Brussels say continuity of public transport cannot be guaranteed. With schools and hospitals joining the action on Tuesday, many families and commuters are preparing for substantial disruption.
As Belgium braces for the peak of the strike on Wednesday, negotiations between unions and the government remain stalled. For now, workers say the action reflects deep frustration with reforms they believe threaten livelihoods, while officials insist tough budget measures are necessary to secure the nation’s financial future.