Week-long rail strike underway in Belgium

By Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Belgium’s state-owned rail company NMBS has started a week-long rail strike which reduces the frequency of train services.

“Due to a strike, fewer trains will be running from Sunday, March 23 (from 10 pm) to Sunday, March 30 inclusive (last train),” NMBS said Sunday.

The independent rail union METISP-Protect called for a strike over measures in the coalition agreement, despite ongoing talks with federal ministers, it added.

“SNCB-NMBS, Infrabel and HR Rail consider these actions to be unacceptable, irresponsible and disproportionate. They deplore the consequences for the 900,000 passengers transported every day,” NMBS also said.

It affirmed that they would organize alternative train services that would be visible 24 hours in advance in the company’s website.