A coalition of trades unions and civil society organisations are gathering in Brussels today to demonstration against a new bill that if it becomes law will curtail the right to demonstrate. They hope that the demonstration will lead to the bill not being put before parliament. The National Day of Action has caused major disruption to the bus, tram and metro services that are operated by the three regional transport companies De Lijn, MIVB and TEC. However, the services operated by the Belgian rail company NMBS are running normally as the unions that represent rail workers have not issued a strike notice for today.
The new bill that has been drafted by the Federal Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne aims to prevent those convicted of vandalism or acts of violence at previous demonstrations for participating in future protests. They would be issued with “demonstration bans”, rather like the “stadium bans” that are issued to people that misbehave at football matches.
It would be up to a judge to decide if a “demonstration ban” is appropriate. The bans would be applicable for a period of up to three years. The unions, human rights groups, environmental groups and civil society organisations feel that the scope of new bill is so wide that it “forms a serious threat to the right to demonstrate”.
Disruption to public transport
There is major disruption to the bus and tram services operated by the Flemish public transport company De Lijn. De Lijn says that in Flanders as a whole 58% of its services are running. In Antwerp Province this is 53%, in Antwerp City just under 51%. 44% of coastal tram services are running. 60% of De Lijn’s bus services are running in Flemish Brabant, while around two-thirds of bus and tram services are running in East Flanders. In West Flanders 56% of bus services are running, in Limburg Province this is 61%.
De Lijn is running an emergency timetable. Click here to check whether your bus or tram is running.
In Brussels just one metro line is running. Metro Line 1 has been extended to run from Stokkel to the Erasmus Terminus in Anderlecht. Tram routes 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 51 and 92 are running as are bus routes 12 (to Brussels Airport), 34, 36, 46 (Moortebeek and Anneesens only), 50, 53, 56, 59, 65, 71, 87 (route extended to Zwarte Vijvers), 88 en 95. The very latest information can be found here .
There is also major disruption to TEC’s services across Wallonia.
Rail services are running normally.
Brussels Airport expects little if any disruption for passengers. The airport’s spokeswoman Ihsane Chioua-Lehkli told VRT News that “It could be the case that, for example, some baggage handlers don’t turn up for work, so minor delays can’t be ruled out”.
Education and local public services
The education unions says that the impact of the Day of Action of the country’s schools will be limited. Teachers that want to take part on the demonstration can do so by there has been no call from the unions for them to take part.
The impact of local public services will vary from municipality to municipality. You are advised to check your local authorities website to see what the situation is where you.