DW-World.de
Deutsche Welle

Trade unions are staging a national strike across Belgium, bringing public transport and international rail links to a halt. The unions called the work stoppage to protest against the increased cost of living and demand that the government do more to increase workers' salaries amid high inflation. A group of union workers also picketed outside of European Union headquarters in Brussels. Police reported longer than usual traffic jams in many parts of the country during the morning rush hour.