Belgian soldiers are overworked, say unions

Some members of the military are growing increasingly disgruntled since the terrorist threat level was raised across Belgium, requiring the soldiers to patrol the streets and remain on high alert for months on end. Due to the increased work load, the soldiers say they are unable to use up all of their holidays. The army unions are therefore requesting that defense minister Steven Vandeput come up with a solution, writes Knack based on a report in De Standaard.

"The balance between work and private life is gone,” argue the unions, whose meeting with several military leaders last week resulted in the granting of exceptional permission for the soldiers to carry over any untaken leave days from last year to 2016.

The defense minister's office yesterday announced that it has asked the military leaders to assess the impact and effectiveness of surveillance operations by individual soldiers.