Around 450 people gathered for a demonstration in Brussels organised by a common union for workers in the security guard sector on Tuesday, according to the Brussels police.
Starting at 14:00, employees and union delegates protested outside the offices of Arxia, the professional federation for the private security sector, expressing their frustration with loud noise and red and green smoke flares.
"We know our work is demanding, often requiring 24/7 availability. But at some point, our pay must reflect this difficulty and the flexibility expected of us," stated the federal secretary of the General Labour Federation of Belgium (FGTB), Koenraad Maertens.
In addition to a wage increase, the union front also demands better social dialogue. They criticise employers, including companies such as Securitas, G4S, and Seris, for their lack of respect towards union representatives.
"Our delegates consistently report that they have raised issues about our working conditions with employers, only to receive no solutions, with matters always being postponed. This has been going on for years," said Maertens.
The protesters are calling for a change in attitude from employers and security companies, urging them to take their demands seriously. "If nothing changes, this mobilisation is just the beginning," concluded Maertens.
