TWENTY years ago, at a time of relative in the Scare Europe, insurrectionary strike took place Belgium.
Today history is repeating itself. Strikes and factory oč. cupations have throughout the country protest against the government's austerity measures Un January, trade unionists marched Socialist Chaltenge •5 February 1991 Page 11 through the Brussels.
Belgian capitalism is going through grave of unemployment is even higher than in Britain general runs at around 12 per cent and numerous factory closures are taking place. response Belgian vocast party spread coalition has in austerity vicious suspends a number of collective agreements and prohibits wace increases oroveds It has also cut social security streets of benefits.
steel companies crisis: 4.111 currently it workers' the unleashing strikes in this, the Christian-Democrat- workers Covermen introduced cedich law the The Cass The merging of two large announcec recently will result in a further The response has been of general the steel-making towns of Liege and Charleroi At the same time. textile have occupied railway stations and sat down in front of trains in opposition to threatened closures.
winer rexue workers save Leaoue begun a hunger strike against threat to their livelihood.
IS having big repercussions the Socialist Party. While the readersnip or une party ticipates in a government of austerity, the socialist Party. dominated trade union, the the volved counter-attack. Thousands of workers trom Christiar Democrat trade union federa. tion are also participating in the struggles.
belgian trotskyists Revolutionary Workers are intervening LOU calling for a general strike to working class plan Housed to beat the crisis
There repression is being stepped up