The Delhaize supermarket in Flagey, Ixelles, had to close its doors on Saturday due to a new protest action over the company's franchising plans. It is not the first time protests at Delhaize Flagey have made the news.
"The Delhaize store in Flagey is a symbol: it was one of the first to find a buyer," explained a CNE union representative to the Belga News Agency.
Back in April, motor oil was poured at the entrance of the shop, and in July, protestors entered the supermarket peacefully chanting pro-worker songs. On the night of 11 to 12 September, the private home of one of the new managers was targeted by vandals. Paint was thrown against the facade and a message was left: "Take down Delhaize and its pawns".
Why is Flagey a symbol?
With Flagey having been one of the first branches to find a buyer, it is seen by protestors as the true face of Delhaize's franchising plans, with the weakening of workers' rights being materialised in real-time.
"A few weeks after the announcement of the franchise, a union representative was dismissed. The buyer had already announced that opening days and hours would change, and that from now on staff would also have to clean the shop themselves. Those who disagreed were asked to resign. This is management's promise that nothing would change for the staff," said the Christian union in a statement.
"After the takeover, the new owner can go back on the management's promise that we will continue to work under the same conditions at any time," said one employee demonstrating on Saturday to Belga.
"Since the takeover was announced, 13 of the 68 employees have left. The new owner has already said that he has no plans to replace them. We will therefore have to do the same work, if not more, with fewer people and probably under worse conditions", he points out.
