Thousands Protest Austerity Cuts in Belgium, Strikes Forecast

Tens of thousands of demonstrators are protesting in Belgium over labor reforms. New Government policies are proposing to increase pension age, cut into public services and contain wages. The Belgian Government says it was forced to implement stringent austerity measures to keep its budget within EU constraints. Belgian protesters will begin a month-long campaign against the free market liberal coalition, ending with a nationwide strike on December 15th. The trade unions say that the government cuts to pensions and public services will hit the whole population. So far the protests have remained peaceful.