Outgoing Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder (PS) has granted defence sector personnel an exemption from duty in case they want to demonstrate on 13 February.
It follows a response to a request from the liberal trade union VSOA Defence after a delegation from the Free Public Service Union (SLFP) represented the defence sector at the pension protest on 13 January
The unions will be taking to the streets for another national strike and protest to defend public services on 13 February.
Military personnel are normally not allowed to demonstrate and legally have to take a day off work to do so. Minister Dedonder is granting the entire defence personnel for 13 February. Due to the exemption from duty, defence sector workers will not need to use any holidays to attend the next demonstration.
Dedonder stressed that she had restarted the social dialogue, "which has led to progress for the department." By granting an exemption, she wants to "give everyone a chance to express themselves if they want to." However, minimal services will be guaranteed, she stressed.
'Abuse of power'
Unions fear the new pension conditions for defence personnel and Dedonder, whose party is not involved in the negotiations for the next Federal 'Arizona' Government, shares those fears.
According to her, raising the retirement age could weigh on the attractiveness of a job in the defence sector.
Former Federal Minister for the Middle Class, SMEs and the Self-employed and now Federal MP Denis Ducarme (MR) denounced the minister's "manifest abuse of power."
"We are dealing here with a political decision that goes against the spirit of managing current affairs," he said, adding that he plans to question Dedonder on the matter during question time on Thursday.
"If Dedonder wants to be in opposition, it would be desirable for her to resign and just take a seat in the PS section in the Chamber," he said.
