The general strike has been called by the CSC, FGTB and CGSLB unions to express their concerns about the cost of living and soaring energy prices.

The strike will cause disruption across several industries and services in Belgium on Wednesday. The SNCB national railway has said severe disruption can be expected across its entire network starting at 10pm on Tuesday. On Wednesday the rail network in the provinces of Namur and Luxembourg will be completely closed and only around 25% of scheduled trains will run in the rest of the country.

At Zaventem airport, airlines have already cancelled around 55% of departures and arrivals, according to a report from national broadcaster RTBF. Charleroi airport will also face cancellations and delays, though no precise figures have been announced, with the airport recommending passengers arrive at least three hours before boarding.

More than two-thirds of private hospitals in Wallonia and Brussels will operate on minimum services and picket lines will be set up in front of dozens of other hospitals. Emergency wards and essential care will be maintained, but in many cases appointments for non-emergency operations will be postponed.

Some shops are also affected by the strike, according to Sudinfo. Carrefour, Delhaize and Lidl supermarkets may well by totally inaccessible, while pickets will be placed outside many major shopping centres.