BRUSSELS, Oct 7: Belgian workers began their first general strike in more than a decade on Friday, disrupting schools, transport, government services and shops to protest against government plans to increase the retirement age.

The 24-hour strike halted the high-speed Eurostar service from London and the Thalys connection from Paris to Brussels, home to the European Commission headquarters and EU agencies.

The government wants to raise the retirement age to 60 years from 58 years, saying the country has to pay for its increasing and aging population and has support from its liberal socialist coalition partners for the proposal.

Strikers also picketed entrances to factories and offices.

Flights from Brussels international airport were delayed, though officials put this down as much to the thick fog that descended on the capital as the baggage handlers joining the strike.

Negotiations will continue over the weekend between the government and the unions. Local media reported that some unions which did not join Friday’s strike would stage a bigger one towards the end of the month if no agreement was reached.—Reuters