The standard of living of Belgian workers declined in the First World War as a consequence of the economic standstill, as well as German monetary and economic exploitation, which led to a sharp increase in prices that was not matched by wage increases. Workers were confronted with massive unemployment or were forced to work in Germany. The economic elite set up a national unemployment insurance system in which the labour movement participated. The Belgian socialist party supported the war effort and was integrated in the political system. Protest against the war was limited to a minority, for whom the rallying point was Camille Huysmans’ campaign for the Stockholm Conference. ... : 1914-1918-Online International Encyclopedia of the First World War ...