Belgium is facing three-days of strike action culminating in a general strike on Wednesday, in protest against austerity measures.

Unions have said the industrial action will include a day of strikes across public transport on Monday, as well as a public service strike on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday’s general strike.

Eurostar is among organisations warning of potential disruption, while Belgium’s two main airports have advised customers that all departure flights will be cancelled on Wednesday.

The industrial action follows tens of thousands of people taking to the streets last month as part of a national strike over government reforms and spending cuts.

Announcing this new round of action, general workers union FGTB said a demonstration in Brussels two weeks ago was met with “total silence” from the government.

Fair pensions has been one of the core issues cited by the unions, while union ACLVB said demands also include a fair wealth tax, a tax on digital activities for tech giants and a transparent screening of subsidies to companies.

A day of action against violence against women separately took place on Sunday which FGTB said formed part of the current action.

Belgium has been hit by several strikes since Flemish nationalist Bart de Wever came to office last February.

As part of this current round of action, Brussels airport has said it expects “major disruptions” to operations on Wednesday with all departure flights cancelled and some cancellations also possible for incoming flights.

The airport said that staff from their security and handling service provider are expected to be participating in the national industrial action.

Charleroi airport has similarly said it will not be able to operate either scheduled departures or arrivals on the day of the general strike – as it also warned passengers of potential disruption on public service networks throughout the strike period.

The City of Brussels has warned of “disrupted services” on its public transport links throughout the three days of action while transport company, De Lijn, which operates in Flanders has advised there will be “fewer bus and tram services”.

Early on Monday, Belgium’s coalition government reached a budget agreement.

Prime Minister Bart De Wever posted on X: “Work today, reap the rewards tomorrow.

“Only in this way can we guarantee the sustainability of our welfare state. Thanks to this agreement and all the reforms, the accumulation of debt has already decreased by €32 billion during this legislature.”