A 24-hour national strike in Belgium today (15 December in Belgium) is expected to shut down movement of ocean, rail, road and air freight throughout the country. Brussels airport has cancelled 600 incoming and outgoing flights as air traffic controllers join the protests. 

The strike is the climax of a month-long series of walkouts to protest austerity measures by the new conservative government to cut public debt, which includes scrapping an agreed cost of living rise next year and increasing the retirement age. The strike will also likely close businesses, schools and government offices.