French unions stage nationwide strikes over wages and living costs
Briefing by News4U · First published
Workers across France have gone on strike following calls by trade unions, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to take to the streets. Protesters gathered in Marseille, Lyon and Nantes on Thursday morning, and a Paris rally is scheduled for 13:00 GMT. Organisers said protests were expected in 260 cities and towns, with the Education Ministry expecting 16 percent of teachers nationwide to strike. Demonstrators are demanding an increase in the minimum wage, higher salaries, tax reforms and better school conditions. President Emmanuel Macron convened a defence and security meeting on Wednesday to ensure public order; Reuters reported tear gas in Lyon and said the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting was moved from Marseille to Paris after six weeks of nationwide protests. [1]
Sources
- Workers strike across France, hundreds of thousands expected to protest
Al Jazeera · · Full text