Inflationary riots in Belgium: Transportation stopped
Workers in Belgium went on strike to protest the cost of living, especially rising energy prices. Thousands of workers gathered in front of the northern train station in Brussels at the call of the unions in Belgium.
Union representatives set up a platform on the Antwerp boulevard and made speeches with various demands, such as lowering energy prices to reasonable levels and raising wages to the level of rising cost of living.
Thousands of protesters, dressed in the red, green and blue clothes of the unions, marched to the Midi Train Station, using the main tracks, accompanied by slogans. Protesters unfurled banners and banners reading “Nationalize the energy sector,” “We can’t make a living,” “Raise wages,” “Enough raises.”
The protesters demanded that wages be improved, pointing out that their purchasing power has declined, especially with the energy crisis.
‘PEOPLE CANNOT PAY THEIR BILLS’
Marc Botenga, Belgian Member of the European Parliament (EP), one of the protesters, recalled that there was a general strike a few weeks ago in the country and said: “People can no longer pay their bills. The government is preventing wage increases,” he said.
“Big companies don’t pay taxes while making big profits. Botenga, who used the phrase “While people can’t pay their bills, they earn a lot of money and we have to change that,” emphasized that the reason for high inflation is not wages, but the profits of big business.
TRANSPORTATION AFFECTED BY STRIKE
The strike negatively affected public transport in many parts of Belgium. Most of Brussels’ metro, bus, tram and train services did not run. Public transport was also disrupted in the Flemish and Walloon regions of the country.
Brussels airport was also negatively affected by the strike. 60 percent of flights at Brussels airport have been cancelled. Due to the participation of many public employees in the country, various services such as education, health and postal services were also interrupted.
Unions in Belgium are demanding cuts in natural gas and electricity, claiming that employees are particularly affected by rising energy prices. The unions also want wages to be improved. (AA)