A symbolic protest action against the European Union's austerity policy organised by the socialist ABVV/FGTB union will take place on Tuesday 16 April. This is the second time such an action has taken place, following an earlier one on 12 March at Place Schuman.
Unionists will gather on Place Fontainas at 11:30 on Tuesday to make noise and protest with the slogan "We won't pay!" against the harsh return to austerity measures that Europe threatens to impose.
"This is more than a slogan. It is a warning to current and future governments because otherwise, our social welfare state will be in grave danger," the union said in a press release.
In February, EU Member States agreed on fiscal reforms that aim to control budgetary deficits. The current proposal would require Member States to make significant cuts to social spending. Belgium would have to save €4 billion a year for seven years, or €7 billion a year for four years, to save a total of €28 billion by 2028.
Aerial view taken from the giant wheel shows a demonstration in Brussels against the European Union's plans to reintroduce austerity, December 2023. Credit: Belga / Hatim Kaghat
On Tuesday morning, 16 April, the ABVV/FGTB and its members will meet in a federal committee to raise the European budgetary measures and take a position. The measures will be put to a vote at the plenary session of the European Parliament on 22 April.
A recent study by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) shows that the current austerity plan would deal a "fatal blow" to hospitals, education, public services in general and the just transition in Belgium. On top of that, healthcare, social security and wage formation will be firmly hit.
"Belgium's public debt has been 106% of GDP for years, despite a financial and healthcare crisis. The budget was not badly managed. We have not lived beyond our means," said Miranda Ulens, General Secretary of the ABVV/FGTB union.
Not 'just some budget cuts'
The reform aims to modernise the EU Stability and Growth Pact (SGP), which says a state’s budget deficit cannot exceed 3% of GDP and national debt cannot surpass 60% of GDP. However, the SGP has never been fully respected as it is viewed as too stringent and therefore impractical.
Under the new rules, Belgium would be under pressure to significantly cut spending to fall within the targets. At current rates, the national budget deficit is on course for 5% of annual GDP in 2025 – significantly more than the 3% limit defined by the SGP.
"30 billion of savings by 2028 is not 'just some budget cuts.' It is like preparing the chopping block and grinding the axe for drastic interventions," said Ulens.
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The union is asking the political parties what they intend to do with their election promises. "Left nor right will be able to realise anything from their election programme unless there is a major tax reform to increase state revenue."
FGTB also points out that the European recommendations on debt and deficits date back to 1992 and are no longer realistic over 30 years later. They argued that it is counterproductive to apply them "unilaterally and identically" to all Member States.
The vote on the European measures will take place on 22 April.
