Criticism of the trade unions’ National Day of Action comes from several employers' organisations. ‘By holding our country hostage with protest actions that affect companies and citizens, the unions are only making the problem worse. They continue to saw away at the branch on which their own union members are sitting,’ notes the Belgian employers’ organisation VBO. ‘Their plea for the status quo means they are passing the bill to their children and the next generation.’
Flemish employers‘ organisation Voka calls the unions’ attitude ‘incomprehensible and irresponsible’. ‘Once again our businesses are the victims of protests directed against the new government,’ it says. ‘Dear unions: after months of political negotiations accept reality.’
Amid a bankruptcy wave with massive job losses, the current union actions against Mr De Wever’s government's reform plans are undesirable and even a ‘self-inflicted wound’ Agoria, the federation of technology companies claims.
The Small Businesses Association, Unizo, also calls the trade union actions against the De Wever government's reform plans ‘harmful for our economy and the future of our country’. The organisation is calling for talks between all players.