French Workers Strike over Economy

They were determined to get themselves noticed and they certainly succeeded.

85,000 workers took to the streets of Paris in protest at the government's handling of the current financial crisis.

Many of them were also on strike.

[Sylvie Daenenck, Demonstrator]:
"The future isn't good. Every day in the newspapers you see people being sacked at Clairoix, being sacked at Dijon. We have to do something for the good of the nation."

This wasn't the only demonstration.

Another 200 protests were staged across the country.

And the strike effected transport, energy and government services.

One union leader said workers had had enough.

[Bernard Thibault, CGT Union Leader]:
"More and more workers are starting to feel that we're not the ones who are responsible for this crisis, we are the victims, with job losses, wage reductions and pressure on working conditions. We are asking the government and the industry bosses to review the acts and decisions which they have been making over the years."

Polls show that three quarters of French people support the action.

And many are disillusioned with President Nicolas Sarkozy's reform pledges.

[Noel Kouici, Unionist]:
"Of course we are angry with the government when you see the way they serve the banks and leave its people starving and losing their jobs. Of course we have a grudge against the government."

With a large public sector workforce and a generous welfare system France is better placed than many to ride out the economic storm.

But it's feared one in ten people may soon be out of work in France and the economy could contract by two per cent.

These demonstrations won't help — but they do make sure discontent doesn't go unnoticed.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Ntd
• NTDTV
• news
• French
• Workers
• Strike
• Economy
• Paris
• protest
• Dijon
• transport
• energy
• crisis
• industry
• Union
• CGT
• Sarkozy

[shockolanu]

Congratulations to the French people. Support and solidarity from Bucharest. It's the shame shit all over the world, people are getting fired and jobs disappear each day.

The Global Red Revolution is coming, we will all have to be part of it!

[Sadier888]

Solidaire!!!!! La France est le ciel!

La crise c'est eux, la solution cest nous!

Bon pour vour ma gens! Americans get smart and rebel back against bastards like AIG!!!!

[robrippen]

French could spend more time working, maybe it would improve their economy. They only work 35 hours a week and get 20 some odd holidays off with 3 to 5 wks vacation a year not counting all their holidays. All their health care is free. French are Pessimistic people to begin with. To each their own, Every nation has its problems. Id love to have that kind of time off. A bad econmy sucks no matter where you live. I work for Rail Road and work 70hrs a week. Suucckks. our Govt. is trillions in debt

[FreeMBS]

BIG UPS TO FRANCE FROM AN AMERICAN!! GET EM!! FCUK EM UP!

[71dhb]

Greeks and The French have my respect and I hope the rest of Europe and North America follow their example.

[vechorik]

Jeesh! Glad this didn't happen in the USA when the age to draw Social Security was raised.

[simontimon2]

Half of the worlds population gets paid 2$ a day.

Yet there are people who make 50,000$ a year protesting for better wages.

[Grunkovorda]

If we want socialism? Well yes please.

[somethingboring]

No.... how retarded are you? Unemployment was low until fairly recently, it's just that there's a low birth rate and europeans take the better paid jobs.

[triumphelf]

Lots of Work ,Many Immigrants!! from China,Africa,India,and Most Muslim Countries,Find work There,just look at England!!..Europeans are just Lazy!!