One of Europe’s biggest ports has been paralysed in a one day strike against austerity measures in Belgium, that has brought disruption to industry, transport and other services in parts of the country.<br /><br />The docks at Antwerp have been hit by industrial action affecting four provinces in the first of a series of regional stoppages to be held every Monday until December 15, when unions plan a national day of action.<br /><br />They are denouncing reforms planned by Belgium’s new centre-right government including raising the retirement age and cutting health and social security budgets. <br /><br />Repercussions have been felt in the capital where flights were affected and picket lines forced passengers arriving at Charleroi Airport to access the site by foot.<br /><br />A largely peaceful anti-austerity demonstration in Brussels earlier this month ended in violent clashes between a few hundred protesters and police.
