BELGIAN trade unions brought Brussels to a standstill today as they took to the streets to demand improved workers’ rights and an end to attacks on the right to strike.

Unions marched, blocking subway and road traffic, to accuse companies of seeking to impose new contracts on workers that affect their social rights, their working conditions and cut their pay. 

They are also protesting against the decision by the Delhaize supermarket chain to change the store management set-up, directly cutting into the income and rights of staff.

The socialist ABVV union, which represents maritime, port, freight and transport workers, said in a statement: “We don’t want second-class employees. We want respect and equal rights for all.”

The unions are also protesting against management measures to stifle strike action through court injunctions against the blocking of company premises, among other issues.

“The defence of our social and trade union rights is being made impossible,” the ABVV statement added.

As well as public transport, the protests disrupted public services such as day care centres and refuse collection.

Last December, tens of thousands of workers also went on strike across Belgium in a protest over the soaring cost-of-living crisis.