Dear Colleagues,

In Belgium the end of career discussion is still making waves.

After a previous 24 hours strike (7/10/05) the government made their final proposals:

· raise the early retirement age to 60 years after a career of 30 y. (in 2012 after a career of 35 y). At the moment in the metal branch we have early retirement ages of 55, 56 and 57 years after a career of 38 y., as well early retirement at 58 years after a career of 25 y.

· early retirement at 58 years: possible after a career of 35 y. (in 2014 after a career of 38 y.)., an amount years of labour in heavy conditions are considered as additional career years;

· in case restructuring employees need to participate during 6 months at re-employementcel at the risk of losing their possibilities of early retirement, re-employment efforts are OK but not at the risk of losing ones early retirement;

· even in an early retirement statute one should accept a job offer, at the moment there are about 140.000 youngster unemployed, we think their employment is a priority!

· the proposals of the government about stimulating the youth employment are very poor;

The government is not willing to negotiate about these proposals. This time the three unions are striking for another 24 hours in combination of a big manifestation in Brussels on the Friday 28th October to force the government to the negotiation table. During the last week especially in the south of the country there were preparatory actions and strikes.

The social climate is troubled in Belgium, employers are furious and in some cases the try to remove pickets by civil Court orders (the revival of an old problem). Declarations of some Ministers are encouraging this idea. Our members are furious as well.

On behalf of the striking unions,

Frans Biebaut

Nathalie Diesbecq

Johan Roelandt