Next door in Belgium, violence erupted in capital Brussels at the end of a massive anti-austerity rally. Eight protesters and two police officers were injured in clashes.

The protest was supposed to kick off a series of demonstrations and a national strike against the government's austerity policies.

Once protesters in Brussels began throwing objects-police deployed water cannons to disperse the crowd. The clashes between a few violent protesters and police came at the end of what was a huge peaceful march. Around 50 thousand Belgians took to the streets.

"We protesting because it's always from the same purses that they come to find money," said Claire Legros, protester.

They said they wanted to send a message to Belgian Prime Minster Charles Michel that his center-right government has cost working class families more than a hundred dollars a month, while extra jobs haven't materialized.

"I cannot accept these policies which privilege the rich to the detriment of the majority of the population, police who do not look towards the future. We are facing environmental and social problems which are more and more important," said Albert Mabille, protester.

In neighboring France, workers went on strike at all eight of the country's oil refineries-causing shortages at an estimated 20 percent of French petrol stations.

French workers are upset over new labor laws that make it easier for employers to hire-and fire-their employees. The government says the labor laws will stay.

"This idea of a frontal conflict, it's old, it's ancient, it's conservative. Taking consumers hostage like this as well as our economy, our industry, continuing actions aimed at removing the bill is not democratic," said Manuel Valls, French Prime Minister.

In Brussels the violence has eased-but not the anger over the government proposals.

Here in Belgium many unions say they are ready to strike. It's possible that in the coming weeks metro service could be disrupted-as well as air travel if airport employees decide to strike, too.