Union members marched through downtown Brussels on Monday, calling for more support to deal with the cost of living, which is rising by the day.  Inflation in Belgium has hit 9%, while the eurozone average is 8.1%.  

Brussels, June 21 (RHC)-- Tens of thousands of union members marched through downtown Brussels on Monday, calling for more support to deal with the cost of living, which is rising by the day.  Inflation in Belgium has hit 9%, while the eurozone average is 8.1%.  

The demonstration was organized to coincide with a national one-day strike, with media reports saying that Belgium was brought to a standstill by this strike.  Trains, trams, metros and buses were not operating and all departing flights from the main airports in Zaventem and Charleroi were canceled, impacting an enormous number of passengers, including would-be holidaymakers.

Political observers noted that Western nations are sending deadly weapons to Ukraine costing billions of euros.  Those on strike insist there is too much emphasis on war and not enough on diplomatic negotiations.

Unions in Belgium are warning of more strikes during the summer if the national government and EU authorities fail to ease cost-of-living pressures.