Belgium’s two biggest trade unions, CSC-ACV and FGTB-ABVV, are staging protests on Friday against the federal government’s budget plans, warning that ordinary people will once again bear the cost.
As protesters were gathering around Central Station on Friday morning, a group of protesters dressed in black sought a confrontation with police officers. Wooden beams, glass bottles, and rubbish bins were thrown at the police.
According to the regional police, they charged and deployed tear gas and a water cannon to disperse the crowd. Several protesters were arrested.
According to a journalist from the Belgian news agency Belga, the group carried masks and helmets, and joined the larger crowd of union protesters after the altercation.
After being dispersed at Central Station, a larger group moved towards Midi Station, where the protests were set to end. A Brussels Times reporter saw a large police presence near the station. "The station is blocked off with protesters. Something was causing a lot of smoke to be built up near the station, but I couldn't see what it was. The smoke makes the air thick and hangs around the place like fog ."
Tear gas is used at clashes between protesters and police. Credit: Belga/Dirk Waem
It is at least the tenth major day of action by the unions against the federal government’s policies. This time, the immediate trigger is the drafting of the budget.
FGTB-ABVV is holding a national demonstration in the Capital Region, marching from Brussels-Central station to Brussels-Midi station, with its spokesperson Daan Nelen saying the union wanted to draw clear red lines and warn the government against measures that would hit household incomes.
The union has not yet said how many people are expected to take part, but previous joint protests attracted tens of thousands of participants.
Police estimate the turnout to be around 30,000; FGTB-ABVV counted 50,000 participants.
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CSC-ACV opted for a different approach, staging protests outside the headquarters of the governing parties. At each stop, several hundred activists are expected to take part. The union is also seeking meetings with the government's party officials.
The first stops, at 08:30, were at the headquarters of N-VA (Flemish nationalist party of Prime Minister Bart De Wever) and MR (Francophone liberals), followed by CD&V (Flemish Christian Democrats), Vooruit (Flemish socialists) and Les Engagés (Francophone centrists).
CSC-ACV said it wanted to bring the concerns of people on the workplace floor directly to the government. Like FGTB-ABVV, it argues that workers have already contributed more than enough and are also dealing with rising living costs, higher energy bills and increasing pressure at work.
Both unions are also using the day of action to promote their alternative budget plan. They say it could raise up to €21 billion without harsh spending cuts.
Protestors pictured in front of the headquarters of conservative Flemish nationalist party N-VA. Credit: Belga/Emile Windal
Major disruptions in transport across Brussels
The Brussels public transport operator STIB-MIVB is operating far fewer metros, trams, and buses than usual on Friday because of the actions.
Only metro lines 1 and 5 were running on Friday morning. Of the roughly 20 tram lines, only lines 4, 7, 8, 10, 82 and 92 were in service. Buses were operating only on lines 14, 36, 46, 48, 58, 59, 71, 73, 87 and 95.
STIB said services on the routes that are running were also less frequent than on a normal day, and night services on the Noctis network will not run.
Brussels Airport has cancelled 140 flights on Friday, as ground handler Alyzia is expected to be severely affected by the protests. Alyzia is responsible for managing airline operations for several large airlines flying to and from Brussels, among them Brussels Airlines.
Brussels Airlines will cancel 40% of its flights to and from Brussels on Friday.
