EuropeBelgian rail workers in five-day national strike against government austerity courseRail workers in Belgium began a five-day national strike Monday to protest against poor working conditions, government rail reforms and the raising of their pension age. The DGD-SEN union members reject an offered 28 percent wage rise, which is only one percent above minimum wage. The Fiom and Uilm union members say there was no prior consultation. The South African Municipal Workers’ Union members say they cannot repair water leaks and other sewerage problems. Sitting in Abuja on January 27, the NIC ordered JUAC to suspend the workers’ strike across the FCT.