Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – City workers in Ghent protest planned budget cuts. 416 jobs may be cut by 2031, with 50 new jobs added. Unions threaten to strike during the Ghent Festivities if no clear answers are given.
As VRT News reported, city workers in Ghent are protesting again over planned budget cuts. This is the second day in a row they have gathered. On Tuesday morning, July 8, 2025, about 50 workers from the Parks Department stood outside City Hall on Woodrow Wilsonplein.
They brought city vehicles and used them in the protest to be seen and heard. The workers want to know how the cuts will affect their jobs and their work. They say the city has not given enough information. The city said it will give more details at 11 a.m. But many workers are still worried and unsure about what is coming.
What will happen next as Ghent faces 416 job cuts?
On Monday, July 7, 2025, about 150 city workers in Ghent also protested at the same place. Most of them worked in the Parks and Road Departments. They showed up to share their worry about the planned budget cuts. The unions have now sent a strike notice. This means that workers who are part of the union are allowed to join more protests.
Many workers are scared they might lose their jobs. They also think the work will become too much for the people who stay. They fear that city services will get worse. If the city does not give clear and helpful answers, the unions say the protest could become a full strike. The workers are upset that the city has not explained things well. They want clear talks, respect, and support for the work they do.
A city council meeting will be held in Ghent tonight, July 9, 2025, to talk about the budget cuts that have caused protests by city workers. The meeting was requested by all opposition parties, who want clear answers after many questions and confusion. To get ready for the meeting, the city has already shared a lot of extra information.
One important item is a list that shows which jobs in each department will disappear by 2031. This list was asked for by both the opposition and the unions because earlier numbers were not correct or clear. The new list shows that 416 jobs are planned to be cut by 2031.
But the city also plans to create more than 50 new jobs. Many of the jobs being cut are already empty or will go away when people retire. The city now says that the total number of jobs lost will be about 350, which is close to what they said before.
Many workers and unions are still angry about how the city shared the plans. They say the city did not talk to the staff or explain things well. Some workers say they were shocked by how many jobs will be cut.
The meeting tonight is meant to give more answers. But the unions say they are not happy with how the city is handling the problem. They are already planning more protests. They may even protest during the Ghent Festivities if nothing changes.
