A nationwide strike in Belgium grounded all flights on Monday and led to disruptions in public transportation as demonstrators protested against the austerity measures proposed by the new government.
According to local media, some protesters obstructed access to various stores in Brussels’ shopping district, including Foot Locker, Kiko Milano, Zara, Primark, and Pull & Bear.
This strike marked the second significant demonstration against the government’s plans to reform pensions and the labor market.
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The proposed pension reform incentivizes individuals who continue working beyond retirement age with 35 years of service, while those who retire early without the requisite years will incur a penalty. The new system is less advantageous for lower-income workers compared to the previous model, which offered a lump sum based on the length of one’s career.
The government led by Flemish nationalist Bart De Wever was officially established on February 3, following eight months of negotiations that culminated in a coalition of five parties, including conservatives, centrists, and socialists.
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