Report by Kamgar Ekta Committee (KEC) correspondent
Rail workers of Belgium went on strike since 10 pm of 28 November for 3 days to draw attention of the authorities and government for required pay rise to cope with increased cost of living and against worsening working conditions. They are also demanding greater government investment in the National Railway Company of Belgium (SNCB) to avoid rail accidents leading to fatalities.
Rail workers want to provide better and safe services to commuters only if government allocates proper funds. On the one hand, the Belgian government wants to double the share of rail passengers and increase rail freight. On the other hand, it continues to cut services further and underfinance the rail system.
The strike is to send a clear message: workers want sufficient funding, more staff, but also a pay rise to cope with the rising cost of living.
Belgian rail workers are also opposing privatisation of railways as per EU guidelines.
The European Transport Workers’ Federation said that rail must be in public hands. If Belgium decides to privatise, the public can expect worse services and further deterioration in working conditions, staff shortages and optimised services. UK, which privatised its rail services in 1993, is a clear example of deteriorating rail commute, they point out.
The Belgian rail workers are determined to save Belgian Rail in the interest of public.