The Belgian army has taken to the streets of Brussels.<br /><br /> Military personnel demonstrated against sweeping plans to change their employment conditions.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> The seven-year hitch<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> On October 15, the Belgian government decided to increase the retirement age of military personnel from 56 to 63 years from the start of 2017, an increase of seven years.<br /><br /> They also introduced new career conditions, including setting up a requirement of a minimum number of years’ service before qualifying for a pension.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> The king’s birthday<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> The march comes on Belgium’s “King’s Day”, the day of the monarch’s birthday.<br /><br /> Under the constitution, Belgian military staff are forbidden to go on strike.<br /><br /> However, they can take part in demonstrations during holidays.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Personnel under pressure<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> In April, the Belgian authorities declared a third level of terrorist threat.<br /><br /> They also increased the number of military personnel providing security in the country.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> What effect is this having?<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> According to representatives, the number of resignations and divorces in the families of military personnel has soared due to the heavy workload.<br /><br /> Representatives of the rank-and-file are due to meet with the Defence Minister Steven Vandeput.<br />
