The ACV and ABVV unions organized a joint general strike in Belgium, protesting government policies. The strike targets planned measures impacting pensions, unemployment benefits, and the employment of younger workers. The ACLVB did not participate.
The unions highlight the impact of the government's pension plans on women, who already receive 26% less in pension payments than men. Proposed changes make early retirement more difficult, affecting women disproportionately due to career breaks for childcare.
The government's plan to reduce unemployment benefits to a maximum of two years, even for workers with a minimum five-year employment history, is another key concern. This will likely affect vulnerable populations, particularly those facing discrimination in the job market.
The lack of emphasis on a just climate transition in the government's policies and the government's apparent willingness to trade off migrant rights for other social benefits are also points of contention.
The strike puts pressure on the Vooruit party, which must defend its place in a government that implemented what the ACV calls a 'destructive' policy.
A key battleground is the future of the artist's statute, which the MR party seeks to eliminate. The MR party's intention to impose stricter conditions on unemployment benefits for artists is seen as a significant attack on the social safety net.
The unions plan to use a double strategy: action and negotiation, but they face criticism for outdated public image and inefficient service delivery.