Belgium goes on public sector strike against pension reform

BRUSSELS. December 22. KAZINFORM A nationwide public sector strike has begun in Belgium with people protesting against a government pension reform that will make them work longer, local media reported on Thursday; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.

The Belgian authorities recently moved the early retirement age in the country from 55 to 58. The pension reform is a part of the government's slate of austerity measures to bring Belgium out of the economic crisis.

The planned 24-hour strike, which began at 22:00 local time on Wednesday (21:00 GMT), is expected to involve Belgian railways staff, public transportation drivers, school teachers, medical and postal service staff, prisons security personnel and mass media employees.

The strike may also affect the schedule of flights at the Brussels International Airport.