LNon-profit workers will march through the streets of Brussels this Thursday to demand more resources and attention for the sector. United as a common front, the unions expect more than 10,000 people and want to interrupt the “negative spiral of staff shortages”. The action will disrupt the operation of several services locally, particularly in schools.
The demonstrators will gather from 10:30 a.m. near Brussels North station and will then march through the capital.
With this action, workers in the care, social assistance, childcare, disability, socio-cultural and even education sectors want to put themselves on the agenda of those responsible and negotiators. policies, particularly at the federal level.
“We are not demonstrating for the pleasure of demonstrating, but if we look at the leaked notes and the savings announced, we find very alarming the lack of attention given to sector personnel,” explains Nathalie Lionnet, federal secretary of the socialist union. Setca.
Trade union organizations are also concerned about the “total vagueness” surrounding the government agreement at Walloon level. However, they welcome the “change of direction” and the investments promised in Flanders for the non-commercial sector.
Whatever the level, the unions are warning of a general shortage of staff which is leading to an increase in the workload, with “hellish rates”. To put an end to this situation, “we need real investment,” they emphasize.
The common union front recognizes that more resources were freed up during the Covid crisis but that they are not sufficient to hire staff, improve working conditions and remuneration or even intensify training.
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