Unions representing several sectors, including transport, police and civil servants, are threatening more strikes such as were seen across Belgium late last year if the Group of 10 doesn’t reach a decision today on changes to pensions, wages and retirement

The federal government is bracing itself for a fresh round of industrial action this spring as several large unions have said they are preparing to strike if their demands are not met.

Unions have been in talks with government leaders for months about the impact of several new policies, including skipping automatic wage indexing this year, reforms to the pension system and changes to early retirement regulations that could force older workers to return to work.

The government insists that the reforms – such as keeping older people working longer – are essential to maintain the country’s social welfare system. But unrest has spread across several key sectors, including metalworking, civil servants, the police and the railways.

Unions are demonstrating in Wetstraat today as discussions take place within the so-called Group of 10, a committee representing employers and unions. Some unions have threatened to strike as early as Monday if an agreement is not reached today.

Photo: The general strike on 15 December shut down Belgium’s transport and saw hundreds of thousands of workers taking to the streets

©Michael Bunel/NurPhoto/Corbis