"Flights grounded, public transport disrupted as 80,000 people take to the streets of the Belgian capital. A general strike against proposed austerity measures in Belgium has grounded flights and halted public transport networks. Approximately 80,000 people took to the streets in Brussels's city centre on Tuesday, police said, denouncing potential cuts to social welfare programmes. Some of the protests devolved into scuffles, as police used tear gas and protesters set off flares and smoke bombs, according to The Associated Press news agency."
"Walkouts from airport security staff caused all departing flights to be cancelled at the country's main airport Brussels International Airport the facility said, while protests forced cuts on most of Brussels's underground train, bus and tram lines, according to public transport operator STIB. The protest is the latest this year against a push by De Wever's coalition government which faces a budget deficit that violates EU rules and is trying to find some $12bn in savings to introduce cuts to pensions and healthcare systems."
Eighty thousand people marched in Brussels in a general strike opposing proposed austerity measures, including pension and healthcare cuts and a planned rise in the retirement age. Protests disrupted Brussels International Airport and forced cancellations of departing flights after airport security staff walked out. Most underground train, bus and tram services in Brussels were cut, according to the public transport operator STIB. Some demonstrations turned violent, with police using tear gas, protesters setting off flares and smoke bombs, and several dozen people detained. Trade unions led the nationwide strike against the coalition government's plans to find roughly $12bn in savings.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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