Sint-Pieters-Woluwe – Alderman Carla Dejonghe assisted at the Sint-Pieters-Woluwe daycare on October 14, 2025, during a nationwide strike, supporting parents impacted by staff shortages while respecting the rights of striking workers, reports 24brussels.
The municipal daycare center in Sint-Pieters-Woluwe faced significant disruptions as staff joined a nationwide protest against government measures, including cuts to night shift pay and changes to pension schemes. Caregivers voiced concerns about the difficulties parents encounter, with many lacking sufficient vacation days or support from family, leaving self-employed parents particularly vulnerable.
In response to the crisis, Dejonghe stepped in to assist with daily operations at the daycare, emphasizing her commitment to the community during this challenging period.
What led Alderman Carla Dejonghe to help Sint-Pieters-Woluwe daycare?
Dejonghe, whose late mother served as the director of the city’s daycare centers, enlisted the help of her mother’s former colleagues to support the staff. She actively participated in the care of children, learning about the daily routines essential to the operation of the center.
“The chicken is boiled in water, not roasted, because it has too much fat. I didn’t like that, but it is healthier,”
Councillor Carla Dejonghe (Open VLD) took part in various tasks, gaining insight into the complexities of daycare work.
“They’ve saved me from a few accidents here. For example, I was ready to add salt to the potatoes, but the children aren’t allowed to because it’s unhealthy. The chicken, on the other hand, is boiled in water, not roasted, because it has too much fat on it. I didn’t like that at all, but it’s healthier. So I’m learning a lot,”
Dejonghe noted that this experience provided her with a deeper understanding of the daycare environment. She remarked on the differences between brief visits as an official and spending an entire day witnessing the staff’s dedication.
“As an alderman, you usually visit for a short time, half an hour at most. You cannot see the full routine,”
Dejonghe emphasized the challenges involved in keeping children engaged and commended the staff for their efforts.
“Today I was here from early morning. I saw that keeping children occupied is not easy. The staff does a fantastic job. They arrange toys so babies learn to crawl or grab objects. Children have to take off their coats themselves. There is so much more to this work than I realized,”
Similar initiatives occurred in other regions. In Steenokkerzeel, Mayor Kurt Ryon and Youth Alderman Hannelore Velaerts engaged with students at the Piramide School, which also faced a strike by teachers. Their involvement was aimed at ensuring educational continuity for the children.
Ryon stated:
“A few teachers (seven in total, ed.) were going on strike, and there was a risk we would have to close classes. That would mean children would have to stay home, and parents would have to arrange childcare. I thought that was a shame and suggested I step in for a day with Hannelore. After all, we’re both trained teachers,”
On May 22, 2025, workers in care, welfare, and sociocultural sectors in Brussels initiated a strike demanding improved resources and working conditions. Local officials participated in these efforts, striving to maintain essential services amid the protests.
