In 2014, Belgium lost the equivalent of no less than 760,297 working days to strikes, according to statistics published by the ONSS. This information appeared in L’Echo on Thursday. Belgium has not seen this level of social unease since 1993 and its record of 916,874 days. “This record is anything but surprising”, says Marc Goblet, General Secretary for the FGTB. “The large demonstration on the 6th of November, revolving strikes and the General strike on the 15th of December: they were all well supported”. Marc Goblet also says that large-scale restructuring has also played a role.
“Each strike is a failure, a loss. It’s a sign that must not be ignored. On the other, the government is not a break-down government, but a reform government. There is a certain amount of adjustment needed to secure our social protection, our well-being and the progression of our economy”, says the Economy Minister’s cabinet.
(Source: Belga
