During a New Year gathering in Brussels, Raoul Hedebouw, the leader of the workers’ Party of Belgium (PTB), rallied supporters to resist the anticipated policies of the incoming De Wever-Bouchez government. He criticized the coalition for planning to freeze wages and undermine automatic indexing, despite prior campaign promises to improve worker compensation. Hedebouw condemned the “Arizona taboo” on taxing the wealthy, advocating for a millionaire tax to fund social security and public services. He emphasized the importance of collective action, noting that unions and various social sectors are already mobilizing against these proposed measures.
Interview: Addressing Wage Freezes and Tax Policies in Belgium
Time.news Editor: Today, we have Raoul Hedebouw, the leader of the Workers’ Party of Belgium (PTB), joining us to discuss the current labour landscape in Belgium. Raoul, you recently spoke out against the policies of the incoming De Wever-Bouchez government; could you elaborate on the main issues you see with their plans?
Raoul Hedebouw: Absolutely. The incoming coalition is proposing to freeze wages and undermine automatic indexing, wich is contrary to their campaign promises aimed at improving worker compensation. This is particularly concerning given the rising cost of living, where workers are already facing notable declines in their real wages, with reductions of over 2% in 2021 and again in 2022 [2[2[2[2].
Time.news Editor: That sounds quite alarming. You dubbed the opposition to taxing the wealthy the “Arizona taboo.” What does that entail, and why is it significant?
Raoul Hedebouw: The “Arizona taboo” refers to the resistance among some political leaders to implement higher taxes on the wealthy, which would provide necessary funding for social security and public services. Advocating for a millionaire tax is essential to ensure that those who can afford to contribute more do so, particularly in a time when working-class families are struggling [3[3[3[3].
Time.news Editor: You mentioned collective action. How are various social sectors and unions preparing to resist these policies?
Raoul Hedebouw: There is an increasing mobilization among unions and various social groups to challenge these proposed measures. In fact, we recently witnessed a massive exhibition in Brussels with over 80,000 participants demanding a review of the 1996 Wage Margin Act, which restricts wage increases to a minimum—essentially a wage freeze for several years [1[1[1[1].This level of collective solidarity highlights the determination of workers to not let these policies take hold without a fight.
Time.news Editor: Given the current economic circumstances, what practical advice would you offer to workers and unions involved in this struggle?
Raoul Hedebouw: I would advise workers to stay informed and actively participate in union activities. Collective bargaining power is crucial, especially in times of economic uncertainty. Engage with local unions, attend meetings, and collaborate on strategies to challenge unfair policies. It is indeed also vital to communicate with legislators to hold them accountable and remind them of their obligations to their constituents. Keeping the dialog open with the public about the need for fair taxation and adequate compensation is key in this fight.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Raoul, for sharing your insights. Your emphasis on collective action and equitable taxation is vital as we navigate these challenging times in Belgium.
raoul Hedebouw: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial we continue this conversation and highlight the importance of workers’ rights.