Belgium’s protracted postal strike entered a new phase on 4 May as logistics firm Bpost reported no active blockades for the first time since walkouts began in late March. All 11 distribution centres—including the critical Brussels and Liège hubs that handle secure documents—have reopened, yet unionised staff in Brussels and Wallonia continue to stage selective stoppages. For global mobility teams the strike’s legacy is significant. Thousands of biometric residence cards, renewed passports and vehicle registration plates accumulated in locked depots and missed delivery windows during the blockade. Bpost spokesperson Mathieu Goedefroy said the company is prioritising registered mail and secure items but warned it will take “at least ten days” to eliminate the backlog. Employers awaiting cards for non-EU hires should prepare for onboarding delays. Immigration lawyers advise using the ‘Annex 15’ temporary-stay attestation, or extending expiring A-cards where possible, to keep staff compliant while physical permits are in transit. The one-stop “Working in Belgium” portal launched on 5 May can generate proof-of-application receipts to support interim work authorisations. Negotiations over evening-delivery schedules—the core sticking point—have yet to yield a deal. Talks resume on 6 May; further strike action remains on the table if management insists on timetable changes. Companies that rely on Bpost for critical document flows are therefore urged to diversify couriers and consider embassy or in-person collection of passports until stability is assured. The episode underscores a broader risk trend: logistical choke-points such as postal depots can have outsized effects on immigration compliance. Mobility leaders should map document supply chains, build buffer times into assignment planning and maintain alternative delivery channels.
Source: The Brussels Times
