On the streets of Lisbon and Brussels, the sound of protest has grown deafening, as workers across two European nations prepare to make their voices heard over sweeping labor reforms and economic pressures. In Portugal, a massive general strike is set for December 11, 2025, while Belgium has just concluded a disruptive three-day nationwide strike that brought much of the country to a standstill. Both movements, though separated by borders, share a common thread: fierce resistance to government plans affecting workers’ rights, pensions, and economic security.
Portugal’s general strike, called by the country’s two largest union confederations, the CGTP and UGT, is a direct response to the government’s proposed labor legislation reform. As reported by Portugal Pulse, the call to action is not just symbolic—it's backed by a remarkable show of unity across professions. From doctors and nurses to teachers, journalists, and even flight attendants, a diverse coalition of Portuguese workers is preparing to halt their daily routines in protest against what they describe as a threat to their livelihoods and a rollback of hard-won rights.
Support for the strike is widespread and growing. The National Federation of Doctors (Fnam) unanimously approved a motion to join the December 11 strike. Nurses, represented by the Portuguese Nurses Union, announced their participation, citing deep concerns over the government’s Collective Work Agreement and the broader Labor Package, which they claim jeopardizes existing contracts and strips away key benefits. According to the union, "the Collective Work Agreement and Labor Package threaten contracts and remove benefits."
Flight attendants, too, are joining in. The National Civil Aviation Flight Personnel Union (SNPVAC) approved participation during an emergency general assembly, signaling that the protest will reach even the skies. Teachers, through the National Federation of Teachers (Fenprof), have echoed these concerns, warning of a "civilizational regression" if the labor law reforms proceed. The Journalists Union (SJ) has labeled the government’s labor law reform as a "civilizational regression," urging colleagues to show solidarity by participating in the strike.
The list of participants continues: the Portuguese Federation of Construction, Ceramics, and Glass Unions (FEVICCOM) is mobilizing its members to reject the labor package and defend collective bargaining. Workers in commerce, offices, and services, represented by the Union of Commerce, Office and Services Workers of Portugal (CESP), are also on board. The National Union of Banking, Insurance, and Technology Workers (SBC) has endorsed the strike, pointing to longstanding concerns about the government’s legislative proposals.
Even local government is not immune. The Union of Lisbon Municipality Workers (STML) called the proposed labor package "a severe setback in their rights" and announced full adherence to the strike. The Workers’ Commission (CT) of Autoeuropa, a major industrial employer, described the government’s plan as "an attack on workers’ rights" and will participate as well. The Federation of Textile, Woolen, Garment, Footwear, and Leather Workers’ Unions (Fesete) and the Union of Local Administration Workers (STAL) have both declared their support, as has the National Education Federation (FNE).
Even the financial sector is not standing aside. The Union of Workers from the CGD Group (Stec) warned that the labor reform proposal could "seriously penalize" Caixa employees, underscoring the breadth of anxiety across Portugal’s workforce.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, speaking on November 26, acknowledged that there were "signs of dialogue" between the government and union leaders. But with so many sectors already committed to striking, the government faces a formidable challenge in balancing its reform agenda with mounting public discontent.
Meanwhile, in Belgium, the echoes of labor unrest have been equally loud. On November 26, 2025, the third and final day of a national strike, much of the country’s infrastructure ground to a halt. According to Reuters, most flights at Brussels Airport were canceled, with all departing flights and 110 of 203 incoming flights scrapped. Charleroi Airport, Belgium’s other main hub, braced for significant disruption due to staff shortages, unable to guarantee scheduled landings and takeoffs.
The strike, orchestrated by Belgium’s main unions, was a direct reaction to the coalition government’s proposed pension and labor market reforms. Demonstrators, many holding placards depicting Prime Minister Bart De Wever as a menacing figure in the style of the "Jaws" movie poster, voiced their anger over plans they see as eroding social protections. The protest was not limited to airports; schools, public transport, and the private sector all felt the impact. Local media described the final day as the most disruptive yet.
A major protest was planned in Brussels for the afternoon of November 26, following an October demonstration that drew around 80,000 participants. The socialist union ABVV-FGTB criticized the government’s approach, stating on its website, "The budget message from the De Wever government is harsh: work longer and harder for less security regarding pensions, health and purchasing power."
Gert Truyens, chair of the ACLVB liberal union, expressed frustration at the lack of dialogue, telling Belgian public broadcaster VRT, "Agreements are not made in the streets at the picket lines; that happens at the negotiating table, but you need to be given the chance." Despite the government reaching an agreement on next year’s budget on November 24 after months of tense negotiations, the strike went ahead as planned. The new budget includes a tax on banks, higher taxes on airplane tickets and natural gas, and spending cuts aimed at reducing the government deficit by 9.2 billion euros ($10.6 billion) by 2029. According to the Belgian central bank, the country’s budget deficit is projected to hit 4.5% of GDP in 2025, with debt at 104.7% of GDP—well above the EU’s recommended limits.
These simultaneous upheavals in Portugal and Belgium underscore a broader European reckoning with the costs and consequences of economic reform. Governments, grappling with ballooning deficits and long-term sustainability, argue that changes to labor laws, pensions, and public spending are necessary to maintain fiscal health. Workers, however, see these moves as threats to job security, social benefits, and their very quality of life. The tension is palpable, and the stakes could hardly be higher.
For now, all eyes are on Portugal as December 11 approaches, with the government and unions locked in a high-stakes standoff. In Belgium, the dust is still settling, but the message from workers is clear: reforms imposed without genuine dialogue risk not just strikes, but a deeper crisis of trust between citizens and their leaders.
