Belgium’s largest unions wrapped up a 72-hour national strike on 27 November, capping three days of rolling walk-outs that crippled passenger transport across the country. At the peak, only 10 % of scheduled flights departed Brussels Airport and Charleroi closed entirely, while SNCB operated a skeletal 20 % of its usual rail timetable. Metro and tram frequencies in Brussels were slashed to two lines with 20-minute headways.
The action targeted austerity measures proposed by Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s coalition, including a later retirement age and reduced social-security spending. Workers in security, ground services, customs and local-authority offices joined picket lines, compounding disruption for expatriates needing biometrics or residence-card renewals.
![Belgium’s Three-Day General Strike Paralyzes Air, Rail and Metro Networks]()
Corporate mobility teams resorted to virtual meetings and extended hotel stays as travellers waited for flights to resume. Several multinationals invoked force-majeure clauses in service-level agreements with relocation vendors, while logistics firms rerouted high-value shipments via Luxembourg and Amsterdam.
Although the strike ended late on 27 November, unions have threatened fresh actions if talks do not progress. Employers should track union-notice periods (seven days) and maintain an updated list of alternative airports and rail hubs for critical travel.
The action targeted austerity measures proposed by Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s coalition, including a later retirement age and reduced social-security spending. Workers in security, ground services, customs and local-authority offices joined picket lines, compounding disruption for expatriates needing biometrics or residence-card renewals.
Corporate mobility teams resorted to virtual meetings and extended hotel stays as travellers waited for flights to resume. Several multinationals invoked force-majeure clauses in service-level agreements with relocation vendors, while logistics firms rerouted high-value shipments via Luxembourg and Amsterdam.
Although the strike ended late on 27 November, unions have threatened fresh actions if talks do not progress. Employers should track union-notice periods (seven days) and maintain an updated list of alternative airports and rail hubs for critical travel.
