For the third time this year, workers from the social sectors will be protesting against their working conditions, which are resulting in staff shortages and increased workloads – all concerns that have, politically, fallen on deaf ears.
In January this year, tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Brussels to raise the alarm over the work situation in public sector work, followed by another protest in Flanders in May. While the Flemish and Federal Health Minister acknowledged that many problems were facing the sector, no budget was allocated to solve these issues.
A recent survey highlighted the disastrous condition of the healthcare sector, mirrored by recent strikes by GPs in Wallonia and hospitals in Brussels.
In childcare services, youth welfare, and elderly care, reports of distressing conditions and a huge staff shortage are all-encompassing, and bound to get worse. Thousands will soon retire, and the inflow of young workers is low.
The union stressed that work needs to be done to reduce the workload so that the public sector can continue its vital work, adding that additional resources are needed for this. To reinforce this demand, a large-scale demonstration will take place in the city centre of Brussels on Tuesday (13 June).
"Unfortunately, in the years before the pandemic, there were constant cuts in the sectors, both at the Flemish and the federal level," BBTK's Evert Persoon said. "We can see the investments after the Covid-19 crisis as a catch-up after years of disastrous austerity policies. The consequences are unfortunately painfully clear today, as well as widely known."
Traffic disruption expected
The list of demands is familiar from previous actions this year, and includes a collective reduction in working hours for all employees, more support with physical and mental burdens, further flexibility and improving pay and working conditions to make the sector attractive for current and future employees.
"We cannot ignore the work pressure and staff shortages in hospitals and other public sectors. The vicious circle must be broken. This can only be done by a new upgrading of wage and working conditions," Nathalie Lionnet, federal secretary BBTK, said.
The group of demonstrators will leave Brussels North on Tuesday at 10:30 and will end at the Esplanade de l'Europe at Brussels Midi station around 13:00. One trade unionist representative noted it is possible some 22,000 people will once again take part in the march.
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Public transport operator STIB has already warned that several of its bus lines will likely be interrupted as a result of the demonstration, and has called on travellers to follow the real-time information at the stops or on its website.
Meanwhile, the City of Brussels/Ixelles police zone has warned that traffic congestion is expected, and has advised motorists to avoid Boulevard du Jardin Botanique, Boulevard Pacheco, Boulevard de Berlaimont, Boulevard de l'Impératrice, Boulevard de l'Empereur, Rue des Alexiens, Rue des Bogards, Lemonier and Esplanade de l'Europe.
