Ei-iE

A general strike and mass demonstrations hit Belgium today. Trade unions protested against austerity measures, including cuts in the education budget, and condemning also a breakdown of social dialogue.

Thousands of demonstrators from the public sector, including the Confédération des Syndicats Chrétiens de l’Enseignement(CSC-Enseignement), affiliated to Education International, rallied on 31 May in Brussels in support of quality public services.

The demonstration was organised by the CSC-Enseignement, the Fédération Générale du Travail de Belgique(FGTB), and the Centrale générale des syndicats libéraux de Belgique as a joint action against federal government’s measures. The trade unions are protesting against cuts in public services, including education, and against the attitude of the federal government which is, according to the unions, not listening to their demands.

“We oppose the ‘cleansing policy’ in the public sector,” said the CSC Public Services’ President, Luc Hamelinck.

“Enough” is the main slogan carried by the demonstrators, as well as “Fighting for our Rights”, “Less pension? More wages”.

“We are sick and tired of the constant attacks by the government and employers going after the money and workers' rights!” said the CSC-Education General Secretary Eugene Ernst . “We want a different policy, a fair and equitable policy. An honest and balanced policy.”

He also stressed that alternatives proposed by his trade union to the governmental anti-social policies are based on a fair social model, with fair taxation, quality public services, strong social protection, and respect for social dialogue and freedom of negotiation.

Lack of social dialogue

Opposing public budget cuts, pension reductions, and restrictions to career break schemes, trade unionists also denounce the lack of social dialogue.

“Poverty is on the rise  in Belgium,” said the Brussels Secretary of the CSC Public Services, Benoît Lambotte. “But the social centres must deal with a growing number of people not entitled to unemployment benefits and with the problem of refugees. Social workers are overwhelmed and acting as ‘social cash dispenser’ rather than guiding people back into employment.”

Some activists of the Centrale générale des services publics(CGSP), to which another EI affiliate, the CGSP-FGTB belongs, also took part in the Brussels demonstration, but most participated in action at regional level in Wallonia.