10 October strike in Belgium: What to expect

Brussels' public transport network will be "heavily disrupted" on Tuesday as a strike by the CGSP trade union affects public services from schools to mail delivery.

The union is protesting against a range of federal government policies, which it says include budget cuts, reduced investments and privatisation of public bodies. The strike coincides with a speech planned on Tuesday by prime minister Charles Michel.

Brussels public tranport operator Stib said: "We expect severe disruption to our bus, tram and metro lines. We suggest looking for alternatives on the day. At this time we cannot estimate the impact of the disruption".

It added that it is possible that no metros will run to Roi Baudouin stadium, where Belgium host Cyprus in a World Cup European qualifier on Tuesday evening.

SNCB train services will be hit for 24 hours from 22.00 on Monday. The main rail workers' union CGSP-Cheminots has invited members to strike, while two smaller unions are not backing the industrial action.

Some town hall services may be closed. RTBF says picket lines are likely at public authority-run schools. Some disruption is possible in "free" schools, but this should be limited as CGSP union membership is small in this sector.

Postal delivery will vary from one area to the next. Bpost says newspaper deliveries will be unaffected. Some television and radio programmes on the French-speaking RTBF and Dutch-speaking VRT might not air.

The Belgian strike coincides with a day of industrial action in France, where unions are protesting about job cuts and pay freezes.