Some 15,000 people working in the non-profit sector will be protesting in Brussels again on Thursday to demand that Belgium's various governments spend more on healthcare and welfare. As a result of the demonstration, traffic in the capital is disrupted.
During a previous demonstration on 7 November, more than 30,000 people took to the streets. The same number of participants took part in Thursday's demonstration, according to the unions. Meanwhile, the Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police zone spoke of 27,000 participants, a spokesperson confirmed to The Brussels Times.
"As a result of the march, traffic problems may occur from 09:30 to 14:00. We recommend that people avoid the areas where the rally will pass by," the Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police zone announced. At 10:30, the march left from Brussels North railway station to Place de l'Albertine (near Brussels Central station). The start of the demonstration proceeded with much whistling and music, but without incident.
The protestors set off from Boulevard Roi Albert II and follow Boulevard du Jardin Botanique, Boulevard Bischoffsheim, Place Madou, Rue du Congrès, Place du Congrès, Rue de Ligne, Boulevard de l'Impératrice and Cantersteen before arriving at Place de l’Albertine.
⚠️🪧 Ce jeudi 22 mai 2025, une #manifestation aura lieu à #Bruxelles. 🚗 Des embarras de circulation sont à prévoir de 9h30 à 14h.
📍Veuillez éviter les secteurs suivants : Départ : Boulevard Roi Albert II (Gare du Nord) Arrivée : Place de l’Albertine (Gare centrale) Parcours :… pic.twitter.com/G8dL7xAgLa — PolBru (@zpz_polbru) May 19, 2025
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.
"We demand investments in higher wages, stable contracts, more leave for young workers, safe jobs and better training," Olivier Remy, general non-profit coordinator at the ACV Public Services/CNE, told Belga News Agency.
Apart from hospital staff, participants from the sectors of home nursing, elderly care, childcare, mental health, performing arts and tailoring from all over the country are expected to take part.
Investment is needed
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.
