Strike
A strike is an action where workers temporarily stop working in order to highlight their concerns. This is generally a collective action, where workers voluntarily and temporarily suspend their contractual obligation to work, with no intention of resigning.
The right to strike is a recognised fundamental right. However, it must be exercised proportionately and without abuse.
What can you do?
Has a strike been announced? Find out about the possible impact on you, such as disruption to public transport, store closures, etc.
Are you taking part in the strike? Respect public order. You cannot stop other people from working. Check the existing collective bargaining agreements. In certain critical sectors, minimum staffing levels must be ensured.
Impact and probability
The figures relating to probability and impact describe a extreme strike. The BNRA theoretically describes such a scenario as follows:
- A strike lasts more than three days and affects several critical sectors.
- It causes major disruption to services.
- The strike is widely supported by the public.
How should you interpret these results?
Within the BNRA, experts assessed three scenarios for each risk: considerable, major or extreme. On each page, you will find the results of the scenario with the highest score based on the combination of likelihood and impact. This does not mean that this scenario will occur or is the most likely. Read more here about how to correctly interpret the results.
Probability
Weak
Human impact
Weak
Societal impact
Moderate
Environmental impact
No impact
Financial impact
Weak
What do the authorities do?
The National Crisis Center monitors over 1,000 events and demonstrations every year, in collaboration with Belgian and European authorities and services. This also includes strikes that disrupt public order. This surveillance ensures that these events take place in complete safety, while everyone's individual rights, such as the right to demonstrate, are respected.
There are preventive regulations for public-interest services in the private sector. The aim is first and foremost for the social partners to agree, at local level, on the minimum staff levels required in the event of a strike. If no agreement can be reached at the company level, these workers are appointed by the select committee set up within the joint commission. If the select committee does not make these appointments, the Minister of Employment may appoint these individuals. The Federal Public Service Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue analyses the request. Governors and local police are called in to intervene. When this preventive method is not (or is no longer) possible, the laws, rules and instruments of crisis management, in particular requisitions in the context of civil security, apply.