Belgium: a time of “trade union bashing”

The month of October was marked by a significant wave of social protests, and the climate seems far from calming. Following the death of two people, who did not receive prompt healthcare due to road blocks, the media has covered these protests uncompromisingly and there has been a public questioning of the trade unions’ responsibility. The parties from the coalition government have announced measures to limit the right to strike.
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October marked by a wave of social protests. The protest on 7 October, led by a joint trade union front (comprising the FGTB, CSC and CGSLB), is the fifteenth social action taken against the measures taken by Charles Michel’s government. Furthermore, three rotating rail strikes (by staff from the SNCB, the national railway company) organised by the CGSP- Cheminot union (affiliated to the FGTB), took place on 9, 19 and 20 October, with a definite impact on mobility within the country. While lead

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