Belgian unions march against ‘grinch-like’ austerity plans

Less than two weeks before Christmas, Belgian trade union members demonstrated today against the grinch-like austerity plans being drawn up by the country's future government.

The demonstration in Brussels organised by all three Belgian trade unions and support by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) comes during negotiations over the programme of the next government.

Their plans include cuts to public services, social protection, and pensions, which would particularly affect women. They also want to weaken working conditions, cut overtime pay for night and weekend work, and raise VAT on essential products.

These policies would make the lives of Belgian workers, already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, even more difficult. By contrast, corporations in Belgium have seen their profits grow and dividends to corporate shareholders have been increasing at twice as fast as wages.

Speaking at the demonstration, ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch said:

"These austerity measures will push people beyond breaking point. Austerity was a total failure in the past and it will create enormous damage in the future."

"Some Belgian politicians have clearly forgotten that this time of year is meant to be about spreading goodwill. Belgian workers are already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis this Christmas and the new year will be even more if these brutal austerity policies become a reality.

"The real impact and extra costs of working at night and the weekend should be considered and more should be done to ensure that workers get the pay they deserve not cut their much deserved overtime pay.

"The attacks on working people being planned are so heartless they would make the grinch blush. These austerity measures are economically self-defeating and create unnecessary suffering for the most vulnerable.

"But those making these plans should know that trade unions will fight them every step of the way."