General Strike: Belgium at a Standstill, Heralding a Turbulent Spring!
On Monday, March 31, workers across Belgium stopped work and reminded everyone who truly keeps society running. The 100,000 demonstrators on February 13 had already issued a clear first warning to the newly formed 'Arizona' government, made up of the right-wing Flemish nationalist party (N-VA), the right-wing liberals (MR), Christian democrats (Les Engagés and CD&V), and social democrats (Vooruit). With no response from the Prime Minister’s office, this warning escalated into a massive mobilization from working-class Belgium, making the voice of the streets heard. This is the largest strike in 10 years.
Every sector of the country was affected, with over 700 picket lines and actions, each visited in solidarity by activists from PVDA-PTB. The diversity of participants highlights the scale of the movement: workers in metal, chemicals, petrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals; logistics, agriculture and food, retail, and transport; hospitals, education, care, and non-profit sectors; other public services; and the cultural and community sector—including a massive gathering or artists and cultural workers at Brussels' Place de la Monnaie. Young people were also involved, with not only young workers on picket lines but also mobilized school and university students.
"They want to steal our best years by imposing a pension penalty," said Ahmed at his picket line in the chemical sector. His colleague Sophie added: "They claim there’s no money left for our pensions, yet they find billions for war while our companies rake in huge profits. It’s not that the money isn’t there—they just refuse to take it from where it is." Ahmed and Sophie embody the working-class Belgium standing up against a government of social destruction, everyone-for-him/herself policies, and war.
The withdrawal of the pension penalty (With this penalty, the pension could be reduced by 5% for each year the pension is taken before the age of 67. You retire at 62? You risk losing 25% of your pension.), the defense of night and weekend bonuses, and the hypocrisy of a government pleading poverty while funneling billions into weapons and war were central topics at nearly every picket line.
For Paco, a metalworker, this is a fight not just for today’s workers but also for future generations: "We’re mobilizing today for the youth’s future—so they can still have decent pensions and wages that allow them to live properly. I’m nearing the end of my career, but I’m thinking of those just starting out."
March 31 was far more than just a strike day—it was a living manifesto of a Belgium that refuses to suffer in silence.
And this is only the beginning. On April 29, unions are calling for another national day of action. Meanwhile, the PVDA-PTB’s late April march against social cuts and for peace is gaining strong support, and May 1 is already shaping up to be a major moment of social resistance. Actions will continue through May, June, and beyond. "If the country was at a standstill today, this spring promises to be a stormy one!" explains Benjamin Pestieau, PVDA-PTB Deputy General Secretary.
Facing Bart De Wever (Prime Minister, N-VA), Georges-Louis Bouchez (Deputy PM, MR), and their everyone-for-him/herself society, the resistance is countering with solidarity that brings hope and a future: a society built on mutual support, investing in a sustainable economy, social security, and peace.
The future belongs to us!
