Strikes over the cost of living in Belgium led Brussels Airport to cancel all departing flights on Monday, while numerous bus services around the country were halted.
Thousands of people are expected to join a protest in Brussels, according to unions. Trains were functioning, in part to allow demonstrators to gather in the capital.
Because the strike included security workers, Brussels Airport claimed it could not allow passenger flights to depart. Local public transportation provided very rudimentary services.
Belgium’s inflation rate topped 9% in June, following strong price increases worldwide, owing to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has disrupted grain supplies and raised energy prices.
Belgian workers, according to Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, are better protected than their counterparts in most other European Union countries since their earnings are inflation-indexed.
He told RTBF that the administration had extended steps to lower gas, electricity, and gasoline sales taxes until the end of the year.
