More than 60,000 workers protest labor reforms in Brussels

(Baonghean.vn) - More than 60,000 workers marched on May 24 (local time) to protest against a labor reform plan in Belgium, which proposes increasing working hours and raising the retirement age.

Protest march against labor reform plans in Brussels on May 24.

Workers in several unions in Belgium were angered when proposed wage increases were scrapped, replaced by an increase in VAT on the electricity sector, a rise in the retirement age to 67 and an increase in working hours from 38 to a maximum of 45 hours a week.

The May 24 march across the capital Brussels caused traffic jams on certain roads and train stations.

Belgian police say 20 people were injured in clashes when protesters threw rocks and firecrackers at police who were using water cannon to quell the violence.

A Belgian police spokesman said security forces arrested 23 protesters.

The protest is the first in a series of actions planned in the coming months, including an attack on June 24 and a nationwide demonstration on October 7 to mark two years in power of the centre-right government.

"We will continue to protest until we get a pay rise," said Marie-Claire Legros, a protester from Grace-Hollogne in Liege province.

Thanh Hien

(According to Reuters)