Thousands rally in Brussels to call for EU industrial action

More than 5,000 people gathered in the Belgian capital on Monday to support the employees of the Audi factory in Brussels and their subcontractors, but also to call for an ambitious European industrial policy to defend jobs on the continent.

In July, Audi announced the restructuring of its Brussels plant, provoking anger among employees. This anger has now spread beyond the German manufacturer.

Volkswagen, the parent company, has also announced closures in Germany. The whole sector is shaking in the face of international competition.

Maurizio Reggia came from Italy to represent his union FIOM: “We are calling on the European Union to put in place industrial policies that provide answers for workers who are looking to the future, because we believe that this alone will not be enough to meet the challenges facing us”.

The automotive industry is facing many challenges. Passenger car sales in Europe are down by 4.6% compared to the previous year, and the arrival of Chinese electric cars is worrying manufacturers in a market that is set to grow.

All these factors have led the demonstrators to say that the response can only be European.

“We need a more global strategy. For example, energy costs are far too high. We need an industrial plan for the future of our jobs. We need an industrial plan for the future of our jobs,” explained Robin Tonniau, Belgian far-left PTB MP and former employee of the Audi plant in the capital.

“Electrification in the car industry, for example, requires a lot of investment. But right now, the big brands are not making the necessary investments. They are saving on the workers.”

Among the demonstrators, many are questioning the reindustrialisation of Europe despite it having been announced several years ago.

“We’re literally being eaten up and I don’t know if we’re in a position to do anything about it,” said Brigitte Peters, an employee at Audi.

This demonstration is taking place at a particular moment in European political life. The EU’s new institutional teams are being put in place, and the European trade union world is seeking to make its voice heard at the start of this mandate.