Belgian Ports Hit by Second Labor Strike

Belgian port workers have gone on strike over pension reforms. Vessel traffic at Antwerp, Zeebrugge Ostend and Ghent has come to a virtual standstill.

Approximately 60 ships were blocked by the strike now in its second day. A union spokesman told reporters the action would continue at least until a meeting with pensions minister Vincent Van Quickenborne planned for late Tuesday.

Tugboat and traffic operators at the ports have demanded that their profession be exempted from the government plans to add two years to the retirement age.

A spokesperson for the Port of Antwerp said the strike was costing about €1 million every hour. The port was affected by a nationwide labor strike last month.