Chaos in Belgium as Foreign Office warn Brits of 'severe disruption'

The Foreign Office has issued a warning of “severe disruption” amid strike chaos in Belgium.

Brits have been advised to check for possible delays after rail unions in Belgium announced plans to strike from Friday (February 21) until March 2.

In an update to its Belgium travel advice, the Foreign Office said Eurostar services aren’t expected to be affected by the strikes.

However, it also warned unions plan to stage nationwide strikes on the thirteenth of every month until further notice.

The Foreign Office added: “A general strike is planned for March 31 and may cause severe travel disruption across the entire country.

“Monitor local news and check with your travel provider regarding potential delays.”

Earlier this month almost 100,000 protesters filled the centre of Brussels to demonstrate against Belgium’s new centre right government’s plans to reform the country’s welfare state.

Belgium’s three main unions joined forces to oppose cuts to pensions and public servants under Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s government, which is trying to reduce the country’s huge debts.

The protests shut down Brussels Airport to departures while buses and trams in the city stood idle as union leaders called for richer Belgians to shoulder more of the financial burden.

Bert Engelaar, Secretary General of Belgium’s Socialist trade union, told protesters: “The strongest shoulders have to carry the heaviest load. The wealthiest will have to contribute more and that is not at all the case today.”

Protester numbers were estimated by police at 60,000 and by the unions at over 100,000, with the further strikes set to pile more pressure on the Belgian government.

Mr De Wever has told Belgium’s parliament that the reforms will be gradual and social justice will be “a guiding light”.

The latest available figures from Statista show there were 9.3 million tourist arrivals in Belgium in 2023, almost reaching the pre-Covid peak of 9,340,000.

Government figures show that around 1.3 million British nationals visit Belgium each year, with most trips considered “trouble free”.