Belgium braced for disruptions amid protests over pension reforms

Brussels (dpa) - Tens of thousands are expected to take to the streets of Belgium on Tuesday to protest pension reforms proposed by the centre-right government, according to the Belga news agency.The day of protest is the latest move in an ongoing dispute between trade unions and Prime Minister Charles Michel, whose government took power in 2014 and pledged to overhaul areas such as pensions and the country‘s 38-hour working week.A similar demonstration in May brought 70,000 protesters to the streets of Brussels, according to trade unions. More than 10,000 people are expected to take place in a demonstration in the capital beginning early Tuesday, Belga reported. Protests are also expected on the streets of Namur, Ghent, Antwerp and other Belgian cities. In the eastern city of Liege, one of the main trade unions declared a general strike for Tuesday. The industrial action is likely to disrupt public transport services in Brussels and train services in Belgium‘s French-speaking province of Wallonia, Belga wrote. The trade unions are demanding the right for everyone to retire at the age of 65 - opposing an increase of the pension age to 67 - and higher pension payouts to meet living expenses, among other things. The next federal elections in Belgium are due to take place in May 2019.