Belgium: trade unions refuse austerity and wage moderations

Before the launching of negotiations on the future cross-industry agreement, the two main Belgian trade union federations, the FGTB and the CSC, have introduced a common list of union demands. Their main goal is to raise the minimum wage and to make employees benefit from the fast economic growth. (Ref. 061033)
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In a few weeks, trade unions will negotiate a cross-industry agreement with employers. It will include a « social programming » (working conditions and wage increases) for the next two years. Due to these negotiations, the socialist and social-christian labour unions (FGTB and CSC) have met, whereas they were fiercely fighting with each other over the « Pact of generations » a year ago. The FGTB and the CSC demand that « workers benefit from the country’s strong economic growth ». They are thus

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