Thousands march through Brussels to demand action on energy prices and inflation

Union workers wear Christmas caps and wave balloons during a demonstration in Brussels (Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP)

More than 15,000 demonstrators have braved the bitter cold in Brussels to call for more measures to shield them from high energy prices – and better pay to counter runaway inflation.

The protest backed by the country’s three main unions affected public services throughout Belgium, especially rail and subway systems in and around the capital and Brussels international airport.