Belgian maritime pilots are poised to escalate protests if no agreement is reached with Federal Pensions Minister Jan Jambon. The professional association representing these pilots has set May 16 as the deadline for a resolution. With around 300 pilots responsible for safely guiding large vessels in and out of ports, their expertise is crucial for navigating the North Sea and river Scheldt.
These pilots are among Belgium’s highest-paid civil servants but face significant pension reductions due to recent government measures. Calculations by the socialist union ACOD indicate that younger pilots could receive pensions up to 45% lower than their older counterparts. Previous protests on March 31 resulted in notable delays at Flemish ports, and while discussions with Minister Jambon were held on April 30, they did not yield the desired outcomes.
The pilots emphasize the seriousness of their situation, expressing concern over potential pension reductions being enacted swiftly. They are determined to find a solution by May 16; otherwise, they plan to disrupt shipping activities on the Scheldt starting May 17.
