Hasselt (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Around 3,000 union members from ACV Limburg and AB Limburg protested in Hasselt against government plans led by Bart De Wever, citing pension cuts and a lack of support for older workers like Louis Reynders.
3000 union members from the Christian union ACV Limburg and the socialist union AB Limburg protested in Hasselt on April 29, 2025, to protest against the government’s new plans. They started at the train station and walked to Kolonel Dusartplein. The unions are angry about the government’s plans, which Bart De Wever leads.
They mentioned that the plans are too strict and unfair. Nadia Goueroui, a union leader, said the plans would affect workers’ rights and money. She is worried about a new penalty on pensions that would not count time spent on unemployment, sickness, or other benefits towards retirement.
“We went on strike to say a clear ‘no’ to the demolition government of Bart De Wever”,
Says Nadia Goueroui, zone manager for ACV-CSC Metea Limburg.
Will De Wever’s pension plans affect workers like Louis Reynders?
The unions are worried that the new plans will make workers’ pensions smaller. They say it’s unfair not to count time spent on unemployment or sick leave towards retirement. This would affect people who had to use these benefits during hard times. The union leaders want the government to change its plans and make them fairer.
They think all types of work, even temporary work, should count towards retirement. They want the government to make changes that are good for all workers, especially those who have been unemployed or sick.
A worker, Louis Reynders, is upset because his company, Marlux-Stradus, is closing. The company is located in Tessenderlo, and 64 people will lose their jobs. Reynders is angry that the government isn’t helping older workers like him who are about to retire.
The average age of workers at the plant is 52. Reynders says that after working for many years, they are being left with no future security. He thinks it’s unfair that the company was sold, and they are losing their jobs. He is also upset that the government doesn’t offer enough support to older workers.
“I tried to do what the government asked, but the government does not protect older workers.”
Louis Reynders
Louis Reynders, who wanted to retire already, said it’s hard to deal with the situation. The workers had a peaceful protest about the closure, but one person was arrested, and nobody knows why.
“For someone who has a backache after years of hard work, the government should look into whether there is adapted work for that person,”
Reynders continues.
“But that work is not there, and those people are simply put on the street for medical reasons and should not be paid.”
