In the early hours of Tuesday morning, members of the CSC Food and Services union gathered outside the home of Belgium’s Employment Minister, David Clarinval (MR), to protest proposed cuts to nightshift premiums.
Around 20 union members involved in the protests. They cam equipped with a "1920s clock," which the demonstrators stated it symbolised what they described as "a return to last century’s working conditions."
However, Minister Clarinval was not at home, as he was in Brussels attending a government meeting that ended at around 05:00.
The demonstration took place at the chime of five in Bièvre, Namur province. "Police informed us right away that the Minister was not there. We left a message on his door to convey our concerns while ensuring minimal noise to respect the neighbours’ rest," El Kadi told Belga.
The government plans to redefine night work as hours performed only between midnight and 05:00 AM, instead of the current 20:00 to 06:00.
The union has calculated that this policy change could cost workers between €300 and €600 gross per month. "Reduced wages mean lower employer costs and less income for the state. It’s truly a gift to the employers," the unionist emphasised.
The CSC Food and Services union, which represents sectors where night work is common such as cleaning, hospitality, and security, has not ruled out further actions either in Bièvre or Brussels to make their voices heard by the Minister.
A similar protest led by the CNE-CSC took place at 23:00 on Friday at the Brussels home of Yvan Verougstraete, an MEP and national leader of Les Engagés party.
