Belgium Port Workers Begin 24 Hour Strike

Aerial View of Port of Zeebrugge
Port workers in Belgium have started a 24 hour strike today, 24th November 2014, which will end at midnight 00:00hrs, Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) advised. The strike by port laborers has been called by three national unions, in protest over the erosion of index-linked pay rises and tax increases. Currently the strike is having a major effect on shipping operations in the area with the ports of Zeebrugge, Ghent and Antwerp particularly affected, ISS said. ISS Belgium has advised that there is a backlog of 65 ships waiting at anchorage to call the Port of Antwerp with a further 12 vessels waiting to depart. It is anticipated that this current 24 hour strike will be followed by a national general strike on 15th December 2014. Press Release