Unions plan industrial action in Belgium on 2 October

Trade unions in Belgium are planning a day of industrial action on 2 October against pension reforms - but have stopped short of calling a general strike.

The FGTB union said on Tuesday that it was encouraging members not to strike but to get involved in demonstrations and other awareness-raising events such as handing out leaflets.

Their main complaint is about how pensions contributions are assessed for workers judged to be in physically tough jobs.

The union is calling for "a radical change in government policy and employer behaviour" and "a fair pension system for workers with a hard job, so that they can retire earlier without loss of pension".

The CSC union will also meet in mid-September to discuss industrial action on a regional level on 2 October.

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