BRUSSELS (FN) — A nationwide general strike in Belgium brought air travel and public transportation to a near standstill on Tuesday, as thousands of workers protested against sweeping pension and labor reforms proposed by the federal government.
At Brussels International Airport, all departing flights were canceled, and nearly half of incoming flights were scrapped after security personnel responsible for X-ray screening walked off the job. A spokesperson for the airport confirmed the shutdown, attributing it to a walkout by staff from a private security firm contracted by the airport.
Brussels South Charleroi Airport, the country’s second-largest air hub, also experienced widespread disruption, with most flights grounded amid staffing shortages and solidarity actions by airport workers. Passengers were advised to contact airlines for updates or rebook flights.
In the capital, tram, bus, and metro services operated by the STIB transit authority were severely curtailed. Major stations in Brussels remained closed during the morning rush hour, causing lengthy delays and forcing commuters to seek alternative means of transportation.
The strike, coordinated by Belgium’s largest trade unions, including the General Federation of Belgian Labour (FGTB), targeted recent policy proposals by the center-right government led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever. Environmental and humanitarian groups, including Greenpeace and Oxfam, also backed the mobilization.
Union leaders have criticized De Wever’s government for advancing pension reforms that they say will lower benefits for future retirees and introduce volatility into how pensions are calculated. “What really mobilizes us are pensions,” FGTB President Thierry Bodson told state broadcaster RTBF. “This reform threatens not only to reduce retirement incomes but also to undermine predictability for working families.”
Bodson emphasized that the proposed changes could delay retirement ages and shift more responsibility for pension security onto individual workers. The FGTB represents more than 1.5 Million members nationwide, making it one of the country’s most influential labor organizations.
Since taking office in February, De Wever, leader of the nationalist New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), has pursued aggressive fiscal reforms aimed at reducing public spending without increasing taxes. His administration, however, has faced backlash from labor groups and opposition parties who accuse him of prioritizing austerity over social welfare.
The walkout marks the latest in a series of demonstrations this year against De Wever’s policies. Previous protests have drawn tens of thousands to the streets, but Tuesday’s strike signaled an escalation in tactics, with critical infrastructure deliberately targeted to amplify pressure on the government.
Negotiations over the 2026 federal budget are ongoing, and political analysts say the strikes reflect growing public resistance to cost-cutting measures. De Wever has not commented publicly on the latest disruption, but his office said talks with labor leaders are expected later this week.
