Several disruptions are expected across Belgium due to a national day of action denouncing multiple social reforms by the De Wever government.
Trade union members are taking to the streets of Brussels to protest against measures impacting wages, unemployment benefits, and pensions. The day of action will disrupt multiple sectors including waste management and transport.
- Demonstration planned for 14 October.
- No departing flights from Brussels and Charleroi airport.
- Only one metro is running in Brussels.
- Disruptions in rubbish bag collections.
Follow the most important developments here. The latest updates appear highest on the page.
[15:24] - Live blog closed
As the day of national action comes to an end, we are closing this live blog. Thank you for following along with The Brussels Times.
[14:52] - Video: Demonstrators in Brussels
"These are not just actions by trade unionists, it is the workers who are coming together and showing solidarity against this government," said the leader of the ACV trade union, Ann Vermorgen, on Wednesday.
[14:40] - Hundreds denounce underfunding of justice system
Some 200 people, including magistrates and lawyers, gathered in their robes at Place Poelaert in front of the Brussels courthouse on Wednesday.
They denounced the announced reforms of the magistrates' pensions and the lack of funding for the justice system.
"Justice is despised because it is left to fend for itself and is under-resourced. Underfunded for years, it operates on a just-in-time basis: overburdened courts, saturated registries, adjourned hearings," the collective behind the protest wrote in a statement.
Protestors added that a "large part of the budget" allocated to justice is spent on repressive measures such as the construction of prisons instead of the other needs of the judicial system.
"In addition, thousands of judgments and decisions condemning the government remain unimplemented, undermining the concept of 'equality before the law' and confidence in it," the protesters added.
[13:49] - Calls for minimum service at Brussels Airport
Each major disruption at Brussels Airport caused by union actions costs the Belgian economy around €25 million, according to a statement by the Brabant branch of the employers’ federation, Voka.
The organisation called for the introduction of a minimum service guarantee at the airport in Zaventem.
Empty area at Brussels Airport during a previous strike. Credit: Belga/Ine Gillis
“As the national and European capital, Brussels must be able to count on a reliable airport with uninterrupted service all year round,” said managing director of Voka, Kris Claes.
The employer’s group called for union leaders to be constructive with their actions. “The structural reforms against which the unions are protesting are more urgent than ever.”
[13:09] - Union leader criticises 'government of liars'
De Wever's government has been the target of criticism by union leaders throughout the day of action.
Among the denounced measures are the approaches to unemployment benefits, pension cuts and the lack of reforms to increase purchasing power.
People gather to listen to speeches during the day of action in Brussels. Credit: Belga/James Arthur Gekiere
ABVV-FGTB union leader, Thierry Bodson, described Arizona as a "government of liars" that "does nothing for workers."
The unions further condemned the lack of social cooperation. "It is not normal for this majority to make decisions without social dialogue. Then it criticises the unions for shouting from the sidelines," said the head of the ACLVB-CGSLB trade union, Gert Truyens.
[12:42] - Unions estimate 30,000 people at Brussels demonstration
People gather for a demonstration in Brussels against the Arizona government's measures, on Wednesday 25 June 2025. Credit: Belga/James Arthur Gekiere
People gather for a demonstration in Brussels against the Arizona government's measures, on Wednesday 25 June 2025. Credit: Belga/James Arthur Gekiere
People gather for a demonstration in Brussels against the Arizona government's measures, on Wednesday 25 June 2025. Credit: Belga/James Arthur Gekiere
People gather for a demonstration in Brussels against the Arizona government's measures, on Wednesday 25 June 2025. Credit: Belga/James Arthur Gekiere
[12:06] - Shipping services impacted in Flanders
Shipping services, similarly to ferry services, are being impacted in Flanders, according to the Maritime Services and Coast Agency (MDK).
Around 14 ships were waiting to leave the port in Antwerp this morning, meanwhile, two remained at the port in Ghent. Around 32 ships on the North Sea this morning were heading towards Antwerp and Ghent.
In addition to the ferry disruptions previously announced, the ferry in Ostend between the city centre and Oosteroever will not run until 14:00.
[11:08] - Over 80% of residual waste bags collected in Brussels
However, some municipalities remain significantly affected by the waste management disruption, according to Bruxelles-Propreté.
In Uccle, around 30% of white rubbish bags are yet to be collected. Areas in Jette, Auderghem and Watermael-Boitsfort were also affected, but to a lesser extent.
Image of a white bag for residual waste. Credit: Belga/Jonas Hamers/ImageGlobe
The collection of yellow and blue recycling bags has also been disrupted, impacting some areas of the capital more than others. Garden waste in Watermael-Boitsfort and Uccle will not be collected this afternoon.
Rubbish bags that have not been collected should remain outside. Catch-up rubbish collection rounds are planned from tomorrow.
Bulky waste collection from homes will continue as normal.
[10:46] - Demonstration starts from Brussels-North
Protestors gathered at the Brussels-North Station around 10:00 this morning. From there, they are taking the streets on a demonstration that is set to end at Brussel-Midi station. The unions expect tens of thousands of participants.
Route of the demonstration on 25 June. Credit: Google maps/ABVV-FGTB
[10:17] - Majority of postal workers not striking in Brussels
Only around 16% of Bpost workers are on strike in Brussels. In Flanders, about 3% of workers are on strike. Wallonia is the region most affected, with around 25% of postal workers on strike.
It is currently unclear what the impact is on the mail sorting centres in Belgium. However, most post offices in the country are expected to be open on Wednesday. In Brussels, two post offices are closed because of the day of action. In Flanders five and in Wallonia 39 are closed.
Image of a parcel sorting center of Belgian postal company Bpost. Credit: Belga/Nicolas Maeterlinck
[09:12] - Unions plan to demonstrate on 14 October
A joint union action is set to take place on 14 October, according to the leader of the trade union ABVV-FGTB, Thierry Bodson, in an interview on La Première on Wednesday.
Bodson believes that planning further action is needed. The union is particularly concerned with measures concerning pensions and unemployment benefits, particularly for older members of society.
"Today, many workers think that they will be spared. But at some point, the pension penalty will affect everyone," he said.
[08:42] - Transport disrupted in Liège, Verviers, and Charleroi
Around 50% of bus and tram journeys in the Liège-Verviers network are disrupted, a TEC spokesperson stated earlier this morning. Out of the 206 lines operating in Liège, 17 are completely cancelled while 106 are running less frequently. The rest of the routes are expected to run normally.
In Charleroi, the 365a and M3 line are not running. The M1 and M2 lines are severely disrupted.
Tram depot in Liège. Credit: Belga/Thomas Michiels
[08:30] - Some recycling parks closed in Brussels
The Humanité and Woluwe-Saint-Pierre recycling parks are closed today. However, the ones located in Auderghem and Demets will remain operational.
The Buda recycling park will be open until 17:00, while the Sud location is open until 13:45, according to Bruxelles-Propreté.
[08:11] - Reduced ferry service in Antwerp and Ghent
Ferry service provided by the Maritime Services and Coast Agency (MDK) is impacted.
Three of its ferry services in Antwerp, namely Sint-Annaveer, the Kruibeke-Hoboken, and Bazel-Hemiksem routes, will not be running. In Ghent, the ferry service in Terdonk will not run.
[05:59] - Public transport disrupted - one metro in Brussels
Public transport is operating at a reduced frequency with a limited number of operational lines in Brussels.
Metro line 1 is running until the stop Erasme/Erasmus. Tram 4, 7, 8, 9,10, 51, and 55 are also operational.
The bus lines 12, 36, 46, 50, 53, 59, 71, 73, 87, and 95 are running. Bus 87 will be extended from Simonis to Étangs Noirs/Zwarte Vijvers.
Overview of the lines that are currently operational in Brussels. Credit: STIB/MIVB
[05:38] - Trains and Eurostars running
Train services, including Eurostar trains, are set to operate as normal. However, a high number of passengers travelling to and from Brussels is expected today, according to the National Railway Company, SNCB.
Passengers are advised to plan their trip before heading to the train station.
[05:31] - Waste collection impacted
Today's action is set to impact the collection of rubbish bags and bulky waste across the capital. Brussels' residents are advised to leave rubbish bags out as normal. Any bag that is not collected today will be picked up during a catch-up round.
In Wallonia, several recycling centres are closed, with a majority of the centres in Liège significantly disrupted.
[05:25] - No departing flights from Brussels
Due to a lack of staff, all flights to and from Charleroi Airport (BSCA) have been cancelled. At Zaventem, no passenger flights will depart Brussels Airport, however, around 103 of the 261 arriving flights are set to land as scheduled.
[05:21] - Live blog opened
Good morning from The Brussels Times newsroom!
As the national day of action unfolds, we'll be keeping you informed on the latest developments and disruptions throughout the day.
