France faced nationwide transport strikes and general disruption on Tuesday as the government and unions continued to row over walkouts at oil depots that have sparked fuel shortages. Teachers, students, workers from healthcare services and industry turned out for street demonstrations calling for pay rises to cope with the cost of living.
“The government must lead by example to take into account the social emergency,” Philippe Martinez, head of the CGT union told the press as he set off at the head of the protest march in Paris on Tuesday afternoon.
The CGT is one of several powerful trade unions calling workers to join the general strike, in their biggest challenge to President Emmanuel Macron since he won a second presidential term in May.
Also at the Paris demonstration, Frédéric Souillot, secretary general of ‘Force Ouvrière’, who warned the government on the future pension reform. “If the government tries anything on pensions, there will be a mobilization of all the unions,” he said.
Credit: rfi
