Authorities in Ghent have decided to maintain budget cuts and reforms they had announced earlier, despite ongoing protests, but promise to collaborate more closely with the trade unions.
A working group will be set up to strengthen social dialogue, Burak Nalli, the alderman responsible for personnel and services announced on Friday after a demonstration outside the town hall that brought together several hundred people.
The city of Ghent is planning structural savings of €120 million by 2028, which would result in the loss of 376 full-time-equivalent jobs. Concerned trade unions organised several protests last week and this week.
With regard to staff reductions, external recruitments have been suspended and will remain in place for as long as it is possible to rely on internal applications.
"The unions are important partners for us," Nalli said.
The first meeting of the new working group is scheduled for 28 August.
The unions have not ruled out further action at the end of the summer.
