Belgium has long been known for its robust trade unions and a tradition of large-scale strike actions. Over recent months, the country witnessed a fresh wave of strikes — the most significant in a decade — as trade unions mobilised to protest against the federal government’s controversial labour and pension reforms.
While the strikes have largely subsided for now, the events have once again highlighted the enduring power of Belgian trade unions, even as political pressures mount to curtail their influence.
Last Tuesday marked what is likely the last major nationwide trade union strike against the current government’s plans. For some, the pause in industrial action brings relief after weeks of disruption, especially in the transport sector.
For others, it is a missed opportunity to push back harder on policies perceived as undermining workers’ rights. Regardless, the strike wave stands out as the largest mobilization since 2014, when the previous government faced similar widespread unrest.
Rail Strikes Draw Attention — and Controversy
Noah Vangeel, researcher affiliated with the Labour, Organisation and Social Dialogue group at HIVA (KU Leuven), explained the nature of the strikes, noting that the railway sector saw an “escalation” largely driven by smaller unions eager to assert themselves.
“You only need a small group of train conductors to strike to have a big impact,” Vangeel said. Train strikes remain highly visible to the public because even minimal disruptions in rail service quickly affect thousands of commuters, amplifying the perceived impact of the action.
While pension reforms lie at the heart of the protests, other contentious issues also motivated union members to strike.
The government’s plans to limit unemployment benefits over time, introduce new rules on night work and flexibility, and impose minimum working hour requirements have further stoked discontent.
A key point of contention is the government’s approach, which unions argue disregards existing collective labour agreements (CLAs) — negotiated deals between unions and employers that form the basis for worker protections in each sector.
“The government is disregarding this social dialogue, which is causing additional concern,” Vangeel told The Brussels Times. The perceived bypassing of social partners threatens a fundamental pillar of Belgian labour relations — and thus fuels resistance.
A Historical Perspective on Strike Waves
Stan De Spiegelaere, professor of Social Dialogue at Ghent University, placed the current strike wave in a broader context.
“The last major wave of strikes, in 2014, was directed against the Michel I government, but at that time there was also a clear progressive demand: the tax shift, which in a distorted form has become a tax cut,” he said.
“The demands today are less offensive; it is mainly a protest against the plans of the current government.”
This highlights an important distinction: while previous strike waves sometimes involved more ambitious social or economic demands, the present unrest is primarily defensive — an effort to block or slow down government reforms viewed as detrimental to workers’ rights and social protections.
The recent strike actions have since (temporarily) paused, with a trade union meeting scheduled for June 25 to decide the next steps — whether to resume strikes, hold demonstrations, or pursue other forms of protest. Meanwhile, Belgium remains one of Europe’s leaders in strike activity.
Belgium’s Strike Record in a European Context
Data from the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) covering 2010-2019 show Belgium ranks third in Europe in terms of the number of strike days, surpassed only by Cyprus and France. However, the comparison has caveats.
“We have a tradition of occasional general political strikes and national demonstrations linked to strike days,” said De Spiegelaere, “In many other countries, this is not the case — partly because strike pay does not exist, or large political strikes are prohibited or not legally protected.”
This unique Belgian labour tradition is part of the broader strength of its trade union movement, which remains among the strongest worldwide.
According to the latest figures, nearly half of all Belgian employees (49.1%) are union members, a stark contrast to neighbouring countries like Germany, France, and the Netherlands, where union membership falls below 20%.
Trade Unions Embedded in Belgium’s Social Fabric
“The strength of the trade unions is embedded in our system,” explained Vangeel. Collective labour agreements, which cover 96% of employees, are central to this. “They play an important role in the collective labour agreements that are established for each sector,” he said.
De Spiegelaere added that Belgian companies with more than 50 employees must organise social elections, ensuring formal trade union representation at many workplaces.
Trade unions also perform multiple roles: beyond representing workers in negotiations, they are responsible for administering unemployment benefits and wield influence in social and political debates.
Yet, despite this deep entrenchment, union membership has been slowly declining in recent years, a trend that concerns union leaders. De Spiegelaere pointed to several factors behind this shift: “Political pressure is rising, with some parties pushing to curtail union power.”
“The economy has shifted from industrial to service-based, where unions traditionally have less foothold. More small businesses exist without union presence, and the labour market’s flexibilisation affects union membership.”
Vangeel also noted generational and educational changes affecting union participation. “Today, 40% of the labour market consists of highly educated people who are more assertive and more likely to negotiate their own employment terms. The fact that Belgium’s economy is doing well also plays a role. People see fewer reasons to join a union, although unions still have a role checking that rules are followed.”
Public Perception and Political Climate
Amid the recent strike wave, some have questioned how much public sympathy unions still enjoy. Employers’ organisations, in particular, have been highly critical of union actions, blaming them for disruptions and economic uncertainty.
De Spiegelaere said that while no recent polls specifically address opinions on the strikes, confidence in trade unions remains generally high — in fact, it is higher than confidence in political parties. “That does not mean people approve of every action,” he added, “but many support unions because of the legal help and representation they provide.”
The effectiveness of the strikes in influencing government policy remains debated. Vangeel acknowledged that some strikes — such as the January 13 action — did affect coalition agreements, often softening proposals. “Strikes often mean that things are not as bad as they seem,” he said. Yet, “trade unions find it more difficult to exert political influence because the political climate is not favourable.”
Indeed, the broader political environment is shifting. De Spiegelaere recalled that in the past, employers’ organisations supported strong social dialogue and robust union presence.
“The predecessor of Voka, the employers’ organisation, was in favour of strong trade unions,” he noted. “But today, political parties like the N-VA and MR are implementing decisions that make things more difficult for unions.”
Still, Belgium’s situation is far from comparable to the steep decline in union membership experienced by the United Kingdom in the 1980s, when union power crashed within a decade.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Trade Unions in Belgium
The recent strike wave has cast light on the enduring tensions between Belgium’s government and its trade unions. While unions continue to command significant strength and enjoy broad public trust, they face a changing landscape: political challenges, shifting economic structures, and evolving worker attitudes.
Trade unions remain critical players in Belgium’s social dialogue, shaping labour standards and defending workers’ rights.
Whether they can maintain their historic influence in an era of political pressure and economic transformation remains an open question — one that will unfold in the months and years ahead as unions navigate the delicate balance between protest, negotiation, and adaptation.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
