Labor protests erupt in France; Thousands took to the streets
PARIS: Protests by workers across France are gaining momentum against rising prices and demanding higher wages.
Thousands of workers across the country took to the streets on Tuesday to demand better wages and curb price hikes. This was after the tension between the workers and the government escalated.
various Worker of Left parties too Transport sector workers, school teachers and hospital staff went on strike under the leadership of the unions, causing partial disruption in the transport system and the functioning of schools.
Labor unions have said they will launch further protests and actions against President Emmanuel Macron in the coming weeks.
“It’s a shame that we have to boycott and protest if we want to bring about any change here. But if we don’t stop here today, no one will listen to us,” responded one of the workers participating in the protest in Strasbourg, northeastern France.
More than 107,000 people, including 13,000 workers in Paris, took part in protest marches across the country, France’s interior ministry said. Anti-capitalist ‘black bloc’ protesters also participated in the demo in the capital, Paris.
The interior ministry said 11 protesters were arrested in Paris and nine officers were injured in clashes with protesters.
Earlier, the country faced a shortage of petrol after the workers of the country’s oil refineries went on strike as a sign of protest.
The current inflation rate in France is 6.2 percent. This is the highest rate in decades.
Content Highlight: Rising living expenses and inflation spark protest in France, workers demand higher wages