As part of the Christian and socialist trade unions' national day of action against measures and reforms introduced by the De Wever I government demonstrations are being held in several cities today including in Ghent, Antwerp, Hasselt and the Flemish and Belgian capital Brussels.
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Socialist union calls for general strike, union demonstrations in Brussels and beyond
Colin Clapson
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In Brussels the demo set off from the North Station at 10am. Its route will take it past the Finance Tower and the headquarters of Mr De Wever’s governing Flemish nationalist N-VA
Socialist public sector union ACOD calls for a general strike
The socialist public sector union ACOD is calling for a general strike across the public sector on 20 May
‘By doing so, we want to oppose the disastrous consequences of the Arizona 5-way federal government on public services,’ the union writes.
The union is taking a stand against more cuts 'to both personnel and resources' across the public services.
The reform of civil service pensions in particular is a thorn in the side of the socialist union. The federal government's recent decision to delay wage increases in the public sector when an index top-up is triggered has also angered the union.
In addition, the union slates the limitation in time of unemployment benefits and the stricter crackdown on the long-term sick.
Christian union puzzled by centre-left government parties
Ann Vermorgen (Christian ACV union): ‘I don't quite understand why the more left-wing centrist parties are letting things happen like this'.
’Why are the Christian and socialist trade unions holding another day of action today? Because it is becoming increasingly clear, now that the government's plans are becoming concrete and becoming law, what they will mean for people,’ ACV president Ann Vermorgen told VRT News. Ms Vermorgen fears that the government will tamper with the index top-up for wages and benefits and that the promised capital gains tax will be eroded. ‘The longer people discuss it, the more it is being eroded and becoming an insignificant value tax,’ she said.
If we are listened to, there is no need for us to take action
‘While ordinary people are already paying half of their salaries in taxation, this capital gains tax is only intended to bring in 500 million euros. And on top of that, ordinary people are now being told to work longer, for less pension. People are no longer putting up with this. I don't really understand why the left-wing centrist parties are letting things go this far,’ says Ms Vermorgen, in a reference to Flemish Christian democrat CD&V and Flemish socialist Vooruit.
Ms Vermorgen argues that the unions really do want to enter into dialogue with the De Wever I government. But there has been no dialogue so far, she says. After the prime minister proposed a working agenda, there has been no more contact, Ms Vermorgen notes. ‘If the government wants to engage with us, we will not need to take action.’