by Manal Barakat, SeaNewsEditor
(AI-Translations): Français
Three main trade unions in Belgium called for a national strike on 13 February and organised a mass protest in Brussels today.
According to the Brussels Times, tens of thousands of participants gathered in the capital today in response to the proposed reforms to the labour market and pension systems.
While the strike will not directly impact the Port of Antwerp, some disruptions are anticipated, particularly in lock operations and among the tugboat personnel at the port.
Local news has further announced that the Belgian railway union ASTB-SACT (Autonomous Union of Train Drivers) submitted a notice for a prolonged strike at the end of the month.
The national rail strike is planned for all train drivers and shunters from 22:00 on Sunday, 23 February, until 22:00 on Friday, 28 February.
The Brussels Times reports that two other railway unions—the Independent Trade Union of Railway Personnel (OVS) and VSOA Spoor—have also submitted strike notices.
"They will strike from 22:00 on 21 February to 22:00 on 2 March, which would amount to an unprecedented nine-day railway strike," says the report.
