Workers in the non-profit sector will once again take to the streets in Brussels on Thursday 22 May. They want Belgium's various governments to pump more money into healthcare and welfare.
More than 30,000 people marched through the streets of Brussels in a national demonstration by the non-profit sector on 7 November. While the unions hope to reach that number of participants again on Thursday, they believe at least 15,000 people will take part.
"We demand investments in higher wages, stable contracts, more leave for young workers, safe jobs and reinforced training," Olivier Remy, general non-profit coordinator at the ACV Public Services/CNE, told Belga News Agency.
The demonstration aims to urge the Federal, Flemish, Walloon, French Community and German-speaking governments, as well as the (outgoing) Brussels Government, to negotiate on investments in healthcare and welfare.
'An implosion is imminent'
The non-profit sector is suffering from staff shortages and a high workload, the unions said. Therefore, more investment is needed in a more attractive work offer. "We want higher wages, especially for irregular services," added Johan Van Eeghem, vice-president of the socialist employees' union BBTK/SETCa, adding that the union is also pushing for a broad reduction in working hours.
"That sounds contradictory in a sector with a lot of workload. But a reduction in working hours could just attract people to the sector," he said.
The action should send a clear message to the administration, according to the liberal union ACLVB/CGSLB: "Give healthcare, welfare, culture and social economy the attention and resources they deserve."
After all, without additional resources and personnel, "an implosion of our care and welfare state is imminent," said the union's sector manager for federal health services, Gert Van Hees.
A national demonstration by the public and non-profit sectors in Brussels on Thursday 07 November 2024. Credit: Belga/ Eric Lalmand
The demonstration also denounces the effects of government policies, such as the austerity plans. "We see that Federal Minister for Healthcare Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit) and Flemish Minister for Welfare Caroline Gennez (Vooruit) want to do more, but are bumping up against budgetary constraints," Remy said.
The demonstration on Thursday is broader than just classic "white rage," the unions said. Apart from hospital staff, participants from the sectors of home nursing, elderly care, childcare, mental health, performing arts and tailoring are also expected. Participants are expected from all over the country.
The rally will start at 10:30 at Brussels North railway station and head towards Place Albertine, near the Brussels Central station.
