Belgium’s rail unions CGSP-Cheminots / ACOD-Spoor and ACV-Transcom have called a nationwide strike from Monday 26 to Friday 30 January 2026, unless the federal government withdraws its rail-reform package. Formal notice will be served the week of 5 January, but union leaders describe the action as “irrevocable”.
The reforms would end civil-service status for new recruits at passenger operator SNCB/NMBS and infrastructure manager Infrabel, and allow HR Rail to impose decisions if social-dialogue committees fail to reach a two-thirds majority. Unions say the measures gut job security and pensions; ministers argue they are needed to meet EU rail-liberalisation rules.
![Five-Day Rail Strike Looms for Late January, Threatening Belgian Commuter and Cargo Flows]()
Previous 24-hour stoppages in 2025 cut service to 25 % and cost employers an estimated €12 million a day in lost productivity. A full working-week walkout would disrupt 900,000 daily passenger journeys and freight corridors linking Zeebrugge, Antwerp and the German Ruhr. Multinationals with factories in Flanders are dusting off contingency plans that include charter buses, car-rental pools and remote-work directives.
From a mobility-compliance angle, itinerary changes could push non-EU assignees beyond their permitted Schengen stay if replacements involve indirect routes or extended hotel stays. HR teams should map critical journeys now, pre-book hotel blocks and brief travellers on visa-overstay risks.
Negotiations may continue in early January, but observers see little room for compromise. Companies should assume significant rail disruption and secure alternative ground or air capacity by mid-month.
The reforms would end civil-service status for new recruits at passenger operator SNCB/NMBS and infrastructure manager Infrabel, and allow HR Rail to impose decisions if social-dialogue committees fail to reach a two-thirds majority. Unions say the measures gut job security and pensions; ministers argue they are needed to meet EU rail-liberalisation rules.
Previous 24-hour stoppages in 2025 cut service to 25 % and cost employers an estimated €12 million a day in lost productivity. A full working-week walkout would disrupt 900,000 daily passenger journeys and freight corridors linking Zeebrugge, Antwerp and the German Ruhr. Multinationals with factories in Flanders are dusting off contingency plans that include charter buses, car-rental pools and remote-work directives.
From a mobility-compliance angle, itinerary changes could push non-EU assignees beyond their permitted Schengen stay if replacements involve indirect routes or extended hotel stays. HR teams should map critical journeys now, pre-book hotel blocks and brief travellers on visa-overstay risks.
Negotiations may continue in early January, but observers see little room for compromise. Companies should assume significant rail disruption and secure alternative ground or air capacity by mid-month.
Source: VisaHQ Global Mobility News
