BRUSSELS, Belgium — Trains and public transport are paralyzed across Belgium during a day of nationwide strikes to protest austerity measures that have in part been imposed through European Union pressure.

Hours before the start of Monday's European Union summit in Brussels that aims to seek more growth and jobs, Belgium's three main unions served warning that efforts to reinvigorate the European economy should centre on taxing multinationals instead of slashing public services and imposing a pension reform that forces people to work longer and cuts payments in some cases.

One airport was closed and Brussels international airport suffered cancellations, delays and diversions. Traffic delays were limited since many people either worked from home or took a day off.