Practical information

General strike in Brussels (29/04)

Trade unions across Belgium have been striking regularly since the accession of the new federal government in February of this year, as a way of protest against planned austerity measures. They have called for a general strike on 29 April, the day of ACCTING’s Final Conference, with public services expected to be (partially) shut down. In case you are arriving in Brussels on this day (or departing in the evening), please be aware that there will be severe disruptions as trains might be cancelled or delayed, and public transport within the city (metro, buses, trams) will only have limited service. Trains arriving from abroad might be less affected, although there is no clarity on this yet. The previous general strike on 31 March also led to the cancellation of most flights departing from and arriving at Brussels and Charleroi Airports on that day, although it is not yet known whether air traffic will be affected this time around. In any case, flights arriving on 28 April (or earlier) and departing on 30 April (or later) should be unaffected.