Belgian workers began their first general strike in over a decade on Friday, disrupting schools, transport, government services and shops to protest against social security reforms and changes to an early retirement scheme, Reuters reported. The 24-hour strike halted the high-speed Eurostar service from London and the Thalys connection from Paris to Brussels, the home to the institutions of the European Union. Local news agency Belga reported one tram was running in the city -- and that was because it left before strikers picketed the depot. Strikers also picketed entrances to factories and offices, including a Ford car plant in Genk, east Belgium. Flights are expected to be affected if baggage handlers join the strike. The Socialist FGTB/ABVV union, Belgian's second-largest, called on its workers and other unions to join the strike. --SP 1110 Local Time 0810 GMT
