Workers in the public sector will march through the streets of Brussels on Thursday to demand more resources and attention for their industry, with unions expecting over 10,000 participants.
The protesters will assemble from 10:30 near Brussels-North station and then march through the capital.
Workers from healthcare, social services, childcare, disability services, socio-cultural sectors, and education are calling for their sectors to be made into a priority for the various new Belgian governments, particularly at the federal level.
"We do not protest for the sake of protesting, but the leaked notes and the announced budget cuts show an alarming lack of attention to public sector staff," said the federal secretary of the socialist union Setca, Nathalie Lionnet.
Unions are also concerned about the "complete uncertainty" surrounding the implications of the Walloon Government’s political agreement for their sector, but welcome the "change of direction" and promised investments in Flanders.
At all levels, unions are warning of a general shortage of staff, which is leading to an increased workload and "relentless paces." They stress that "real investment" is needed to end this situation.
The union front acknowledges that more funds were released during the Covid-19 crisis following their requests, but they are still insufficient to hire more staff, improve working conditions and wages, or boost training initiatives.
"We cannot emphasise enough that better salaries, a better work-life balance, and reduced workloads are absolutely necessary to make the sector more attractive," emphasised Lionnet.
