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Thousands of Belgians take to the streets over pension reforms
STORY: :: Tens of thousands protest against pension reforms in Belgium:: Brussels, Belgium:: February 13, 2025″It’s a double penalty for us workers today. As workers and as citizens. Because taxes are going to rise and because local authorities will not be able to cope with everything the government is going to impose to them.””We’re not interested in retiring much later on a lower salary. We give a lot of ourselves. We’re there, we’re present when asked. And now it’s backfiring. We actually feel a bit betrayed.”Local police reported on social media platform X that 60,000 people had joined the strike in Brussels.Protesters clashed with police outside the headquarters of liberal center-right party MR, part of the governing coalition, with police using tear gas and a water cannon. Local media described similar clashes at the headquarters of another coalition member Les Engages, a Christian democrat party.Reuters witnesses also reported protesters setting off fireworks.Brussels airport canceled 430 flights on Thursday, a spokesperson said, adding that the disruption to the air traffic sector would last just one day.The strike was also expected to disrupt public transport and postal services, with firefighters and military personnel joining the protests as well.The planned pension reform rewards those who work past retirement age with 35 years of service, while early retirees without 35 years face a penalty. The new system is less favorable for lower-income earners compared to the previous one, which provided a lump sum based on career length.