A massive protest has moved through the center of Brussels, as thousands of Belgians continue to protest budget cuts and labor reform proposals. Meanwhile in neighboring France, anger over new labor laws have led to additional union strikes that will affect train travel. CCTV's Kevin Ozebek reports from Brussels, on how the working class will not stand for these changes.
Public sector workers of the main unions rally in Brussels on May 31, 2016 in a protest over austerity measures.
An estimated ten thousand gathered and marched in the heart of Brussels. These are mostly teachers, police officers and public sector employees who decided to strike for 24 hours.
"The working class are fed up with all the measures they are taking. At the end of our career we have nothing to look forward to," Protestor Crystal Sole said.
Driving these protestors to march is a proposal to increase the retirement age. This demonstration stayed peaceful, unlike the one in Brussels last week in which a few protestors started throwing objects at police. But still there is real anger in Belgium over government spending cuts and proposals to change labor laws.
"Our pension has to stay the same as it is now. They want to reduce it I think by 500 Euros per month so that's not acceptable to us," Protestor katelyn Schmitz said.
With many public transport and train workers going on strike Tuesday, travel across Belgium was impacted. Some passengers were stranded
"I work at the airport so I've seen a few strikes there, but this is the first one that really affected me this badly and has stopped me from getting to work too," Tain passenger Alex Thomas said.
Over in France a national railway strike has been called for on Wednesday-Paris metro workers have called a strike for Thursday. Anger over new French labor laws which make it easier for employers to hire and fire employees have led to fuel shortages because refinery workers are on strike. The French government says its open to changing the new laws-but not scrapping them completely.
Back in Brussels, these protestors hope the government hears them loud and clear.
And here in Belgium expect the marches and calls to strike to continue. These protestors say they will not stop until austerity measures end and the labor proposals are dropped.