The general strike paralyzes airports and public services.

On Monday, the socialist General Labour Federation of Belgium (FGTB/ABVV) and the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (CSC/ACV) called for a general strike to oppose budget cuts, particularly those affecting pensions, implemented by the coalition government led by Flemish nationalist Prime Minister Bart De Wever.

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The protest has effectively paralyzed much of the country, with flight cancellations at airports and public services and businesses operating at reduced capacity.

Brussels Airport has announced that no flights will take off from its facilities today and that incoming flights may also be canceled. As a result, passengers are advised to contact their airline. Similarly, Charleroi Airport has announced that all flights have been canceled.

In most regions of the country, only one in three local trains is running. In the provinces of Luxembourg and Namur, rail traffic has come to a complete standstill. In Brussels, only one metro line, four tram lines, and five bus lines are operational.

The text reads, “National strike day in Belgium against attacks by the far-right Arizona coalition. Tens of thousands of public and private strikers demonstrate in Brussels against austerity and attacks on wages and pensions!“

In the Walloon region, the intercity bus network is entirely paralyzed in Charleroi, while in the Liège-Verviers region, fewer than half of the bus lines are running.

A similar situation is occurring with buses and trams in the Flanders region. Regarding maritime transport, eleven ships are unable to enter or leave the Port of Ghent.

The strike has also affected public administration, educational institutions, the media, and retail businesses. Citizens have set up picket lines at locations such as the Free University of Brussels.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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