Anti-Austerity Strike on Public Transport Paralyzes Belgium

Only five percent of Belgian trains are running due to a public transport services strike protesting austerity measures.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — A public transport services strike protesting austerity measures in Belgium caused major gridlock across the country on Wednesday, according to local media.

Only 5 percent of Belgian trains are running. De Lijn and MIVB companies, operating bus, tram and metro in the country, also saw disruptions in their services, VRT broadcaster reported.

Strike causes public transport chaos #theSocialistPublicServiceUnionACOD #trainservices… http://t.co/KtIOG01kmV pic.twitter.com/rp6fF25kpB

— Belgium Trending (@Belgolizer) April 22, 2015

Eurostar, an international train line, canceled trains to Brussels. The British Eurostar labor union pledged support and solidarity with the strike across Belgium.

Just a reminder for those travelling to Belgium tomorrow that the strike will affect your journey http://t.co/5Av6FnIa6s

— Eurostar (@Eurostar) April 21, 2015

The main railway stations at Brussels, Bruges and Ostend, are blocked by protesters.

The Socialist Public Service Union, which organized the 24-hour strike, disapproves of cuts in staffing and funding in the public transport sector made by Belgian federal and Flemish Governments. According to the union, the measures threaten public services and put workers under excessive pressure.

Last month, between 17,000 and 20,000 people took part in a rally in the capital of Belgium protesting austerity policies and high taxes.