Lauren Walker

Focus on Brussels, EU affairs, equality, sexual harassment and violence, education and languages. Email: l.walker@brusselstimes.com

Case dismissed for Migration Minister’s violation of asylum seekers’ rights

"This judgement does not alter the fact that Mahdi's reception policy is illegal and that there are people sleeping on the streets every day," one NGO said.

Drug driving and speed offences skyrocketed last year in Belgium

"The figures speak for themselves, 2021 is a sad record year as far as the number of traffic offences is concerned."

One in seven Belgian children living in poverty, Brussels most affected

15% of children under the age of 16 in Brussels are financially unable to afford new clothes, compared to 11% in Wallonia and 6% in Flanders.

More flexible rules for foreign nationals to work and reside in Belgium

Belgium will make it easier for more non-EU people to get a single permit to work and live here, while Flanders is looking to Brussels to fill its vacancies.

Brussels creates playgrounds to encourage children to be outdoors this summer

“Playcation” is Brussels’ play and sports experiment organised for young and not-so-young people that will take place during the summer.

Car remains favourite transport mode in Belgium despite rising popularity of trains

Nearly 80% of people in Belgium who went abroad travelled by car, citing the flexibility and convenience. But thanks to services like Eurostar and Thalys, trains are quickly catching up.

Night train to Barcelona planned with stops in Brussels and Antwerp

The night train from Belgium to Barcelona could become reality as soon as next year and will initially run three times a week.

Students increasingly getting jobs outside usual holiday periods

A survey showed that the share of students working outside the summer holidays increased from 30% in 2004 to 63% in 2020, before reaching 72% last year.

Record number of discrimination claims in Belgium, driven by pandemic

Many of the files concern discrimination in the labour and housing market.

West African communities take action against land grabbing Belgian company

SIAT group owns 46,100 hectares of oil palm plantations and 24,000 hectares of rubber plantations, however, part of those plantations might be on stolen land.

Zero road fatalities in Flanders by 2050 will be ‘huge challenge’

In 2000, 871 people were killed on Flemish roads. By 2020, those figures fell to 254 fatalities, but experts believe the ultimate goal of Vision Zero by 2050 will be a major challenge.

‘Alarming shortage’ of social workers puts Brussels vulnerable inhabitants at risk

"The Brussels CPAS is facing an alarming shortage of social workers and is unable to recruit any, despite the importance of the job and the many advantages."

Airline strikes: Unions criticise intimidation of staff, Brussels Airlines refute claims

According to trade unions, staff members are being put under pressure by Brussels Airlines not to take part in the strike, but the company denies the claims.

Brussels to extend pedestrianised zone in city centre to Rogier

“The construction of the pedestrian area has been a milestone in turning Brussels into a city for people. We have to keep this positive momentum going."

Belgian businesses stick to Covid-19 measures to avoid workplace sickness

Certain measures, such as mandatory face masks, are less commonly adopted than better ventilation and extra disinfection, as these are easier to implement.

Strike week in Belgium: What disruptions to expect, and when

This week, Belgium will be inundated with strikes, from a national action day on Monday to airlines' cabin crews and pilots laying down their work later this week.

Why are unions organising another national strike?

Belgium has seen regional and national strikes in recent months and another is taking place on Monday. Here's what it's all about.

Upcoming strikes: What are your rights if your flight is cancelled?

In the coming days, various strikes are expected to see the cancellation of many flights. Find out what your rights are if your trip has been affected.

Ukraine starts harvest, but export to global markets remains largely blocked

The crops currently being harvested would normally be exported via ports on the Black Sea, however, Russia continues to block these.

Government agrees on increased Defence budget in light of ‘new safety situation’

"We know that, because of the war in Ukraine, we find ourselves in a new security situation, and we as EU countries have had to shed some of our naivety."

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