France - demonstrations

Workers march in fifth protest of 2009

Article published on the 2009-06-13 Latest update 2009-06-13 14:53 TU

Traditional May Day demonstration and marches on 1 May
(Photo: AFP)

Several of France’s main trade unions staged their fifth day of protest on Saturday against the government’s response to the world economic crisis. A number of marches are taking place across the country.

Factory workers and civil servants were involved in protest marches across the country against French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s handling of the world financial crisis.

Around one million people turned out to support the movement according to union bosses. But they believe the group is losing momentum ahead of the French summer holidays.

Union leaders have been meeting with employers this last week and have tabled a meeting with Sarkozy for July to review measures intended to help families during the global downturn.

But Sarkozy has failed to back down over plans to cut thousands of public sector jobs and has rejected a move to increase the national minimum wage, which currently stands at 8.71 euros per hour, or 1,321.02 euros per month.

Eight unions are involved in the protest: the CGT, CFDT, FO, CFTC, CFE-CGC, FSU, Solidaires and Unsa.

According to a survey conducted on 5 and 6 June by the Consumer Studies Institute, Les Echos (the financial daily newspaper), France Info (the public radio station) and the Council for Strategic Change, three-quarters of more than 1,000 people surveyed say they support the strike. Although two-thirds say they expect little resulting from the protest.