The Belgian federal government has approved a royal decree allowing staff requisitioning from the first day of short prison strikes, a move aimed at ensuring minimum staffing levels in detention facilities. Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden will mobilise personnel through provincial governors during walkouts.
The CGSP union denounced the decision as a betrayal by Verlinden, while the ACV, ACOD and VSOA unions also expressed discontent, with the VSOA warning the measure erodes the right to strike and masks structural problems. The government acted after minimum staffing was not met in 43% of prisons during national strike actions in 2025.
Unions had previously signed an agreement with prisons director general Mathilde Steenbergen to define minimum staffing needs on strike days. A broader social plan to make prison work safer and more attractive is due for implementation by 2029.