A strike began on June 17 at Benepack’s metal can factory in Genk, Belgium in protest over excessive workloads and unsafe working conditions. Workers issued a formal list of demands, calling for reduced workload, improved safety measures, and better employment terms.Management, under instruction from Benepack’s Chinese parent company COFCO, refused to negotiate, prompting legal action.

Following a series of unsuccessful negotiations, an agreement was achieved on the 10th day of strike. The resulting agreement addressed all key union demands: additional staffing to alleviate production pressure, a minimum staffing policy, and the formation of a joint safety and workload committee.