24 June 2005

Weapons industry strike

Workers in the weapons industry in Luik went out on strike on Friday in protest against the Wallonian government’s decision to withdraw an export licence granted to New Lachaussée, French-daily ‘Le Soir’ reported. The company was refused permission to export weapons to Tanzania, but the Wallonian decision also affects the companies Les Forges de Zeebrugge, FN Herstal and Techspace Aero. Workers in those companies are concerned about their future and joined New Lachaussé staff in taking strike action on Friday.

Flanders in EUR 230m windfall

The Flemish government might receive an unexpected windfall of EUR 230 million, but Work and Education Minister Frank Vandenbroucke has advised against spending the money right away. Instead, the Socialist SP.A minister said the money should be put in a savings fund to be used for a radical social-economic impulse at a later stage. He said other windfalls could also be added to the savings fund. The expected EUR 230 million is being collected by regional taxes, ‘De Standaard’ reported.

It’s official – we’re in a heatwave!

Belgium is officially experiencing a heatwave after meteorology bureau KMI recorded a maximum temperature of 30.3 degrees Celsius in Ukkel on Thursday. A heatwave is defined as five consecutive days of temperatures above 25 degrees, three days of which were hotter than 30 degrees. Friday is expected to be the warmest day of the week, with temperatures again above 30 degrees, ‘Het Nieuwsblad’ reported. “These temperatures are not exceptional, but are also not normal,” KMI spokesman Pierre Mosselmans said.

Belgians opt for savings security

Belgian households avoided financial risks in 2004 and focused again on building their savings, the National Bank (NBB) said. “Families chose savings schemes without risks or with few risks, such as savings accounts and life insurance with a guaranteed return,” NBB director Peter Praet said. He also said Belgians showed “remarkable conservatism” last year, ‘Het Gazet van Antwerpen’ reported.

Subject: Belgian news