General strike in Belgium hits ports including Antwerp

A 24-hour general strike is underway in Belgium, with the country’s transportation networks including its ports, coming to a standstill.

Belgium’s ports have been blockaded because of the industrial action against austerity, with dock workers amongst those frustrated by government proposals to scrap a cost-of-living wage rise next year.

At Europe’s third busiest port, the Port of Antwerp, no operations are taking place and 50 ships are waiting to be dealt with at the time of writing.