10,000 trade unionists demonstrate against austerity

Union members from Belgium, Germany, Spain, France and Portugal are staging an anti-austerity protest and a call for youth employment in Brussels today as EU leaders gather for a two-day summit. The event is organised by the Brussels-based European Trade Union Confederation, and about 10,000 people are expected to gather in Cinquantenaire Park. “Austerity measures must be abandoned, because of the disastrous effect they have on the economy. Employment, and especially youth employment, is the priority,” a statement from the confederation read. Heavy traffic is expected in the European quarter today and tomorrow and some bus lines will be diverted, but this is due to the security measures around European summits rather than a consequence of the demonstration.