Belgian call for change in law


Following a national strike over pay in Belgium on 13 February which, among other things, halted all air traffic, the unions have said they are willing to return to negotiations — but only if these are “serious”. 


Pay in Belgium is tightly limited by legislation which limits pay increases to the level of its neighbours, and the employers say that 0.8% on top of inflation over two years is all that they are allowed to pay. 


However, Robert Vertenueil, president of the socialist FGTB union confederation, said that “when the law is bad, you change the law”.