The capital's social services centres (CPAS) will go on strike on Friday and organise a final demonstration in November to demand increased financial resources.
On Thursday, the Brussels Government announced its budget for 2023, which included an extra €20 million to the region's CPAS, to help them deal with the surge of individuals seeking assistance as a result of the energy crisis.
However, this has not stopped unions from organising strikes among CPAS employees for the end of October and November. As a result, all of the CPAS in Brussels will be closed for two hours (between 10:00 and 12:00) on 14, 20, 26 and 31 October.
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Furthermore, on November 16, a 24-hour strike will be organised, beginning on Boulevard du Régent, near the office of Brussels Secretary of State for Equal Opportunities and Housing, Nawal Ben Hamou (PS).
Carine Rosteleur, regional secretary for one of the unions, stated that they were "demanding an increased budget in order to effectively conduct our social job," as well as decreasing staff workload by recruiting more social and support service employees.
In addition, they are calling for a 15% pay rise by 1 January at the latest and the introduction of voluntary structural teleworking for two days with allowances adapted to deal with the current cost of living crisis.
