Week of 27 October
1. BESIX at the BWI Global Conference
Last week, our Chief People Officer Geert Aelbrecht represented our Group at the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) Global Multinational Companies Conference at the ILO headquarters in Geneva. The event brought together trade unions, global firms, financial institutions and human rights experts to discuss how the sector can better protect labour rights across supply chains. Geert spoke in two sessions, sharing BESIX’s experience with ethical recruitment and fair working conditions.
In addition, the conference marked a new five-year cooperation agreement between the BWI and FIFA to improve worker rights at tournament-related construction sites. Under the agreement, the two organisations will carry out joint labour inspections, deliver training for worker representatives, handle grievances, and publish annual progress reports. This step forward is designed to apply to upcoming tournaments in multiple countries, ensuring worker safety, fair income and social protection. As BESIX is currently building the Aramco Stadium, we welcome this initiative, as it reinforces our ongoing commitment to fair labour practices and responsible construction.
2. Rail Baltica Riga Central Station takes shape (Latvia)
In Latvia, the BERERIX team is steadily advancing the Rail Baltica Central Station project in Riga. Elevated platforms are now in place to make boarding easier, with waterproofing works completed. Also, the team has started improvement works, beginning with passenger sheds to protect travellers from wind, rain, snow and sun.
The project is progressing on schedule, step by step transforming the site into a modern, sustainable and user-friendly transport hub. Alongside the new station, the works include a railway bridge over the Daugava river and extensive track upgrades. Major construction and landscaping are set to finish by late summer 2026, with full completion expected by the end of the year. Well done to everyone involved!
3. VIP visit in Saudi Arabia
Our BESIX Middle East colleagues in Saudi Arabia recently welcomed the Belgian Ambassador to the Kingdom, H.E. Pascal Grégoire (standing on Peter Lembrecht's right side on the 1st photo below). The visit included a stop at the BESIX Middle East office and a tour of the Aramco Stadium site, where the team’s progress was on show. Built by BESIX Middle East and Albawani, the venue will seat around 47,000 spectators and is set for completion in 2026, just in time for the 2027 Asian Football Confederation Cup. A proud moment for the team and a chance to highlight our work on one of the region’s key sporting venues!
4. 50-hour top-notch work by Socogetra (Belgium)
Earlier this month in Erquelinnes, our colleagues at Socogetra successfully installed a new railway underpass for Infrabel, completing the job in under 50 hours! During this short timeframe, the team removed the tracks, carried out earthworks, demolished the old bridge, positioned a 600-tonne prefabricated portal frame over a 26-metre stretch, backfilled the site and relaid the tracks. A great example of precise planning and teamwork. Well done to everyone involved.
And then this... Flashmob to celebrate major milestone (Belgium)
This weekend, the first part of the Bypass opened in Antwerp! This temporary highway will keep traffic flowing while the Merksem viaduct is replaced by a sunken Ring Road. To mark the occasion, the ROCO team gathered on the Bypass’s arched bridge for a flashmob on Friday. A fun and memorable way to celebrate a key milestone!
The Bypass is part of the largest sub-project of the Oosterweel Link, which will close the Antwerp Ring Road on the northern side. Alongside this, ROCO is also building the Canal Tunnels and the new sunken Ring Road.