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A general strike on the French West Indian island of Guadeloupe has spread to nearby Martinique and, in its third week, erupted in violence. After weeks of peaceful protest, barricades were thrown up, shops ransacked and a trade union activist shot dead. The strikers say that they pay higher prices than those in mainland France but are often poorly paid. Behind the discontent over day-to-day problems lies a history of colonialism and slavery which adds to a bitter mix. Sarah Elzas is reporting for RFI from Guadeloupe.
French overseas territories
Police wounded by gunfire in Martinique, protests close shops in Réunion
Four police officers were slightly wounded during clashes between bosses and strikers on the French West Indian island of Martinique on Friday, as negotiations continued on the 30th day of the strike there. On the Indian Ocean island of Réunion, protesters closed supermarkets in support for their demands for wage rises and lower prices.
2009-03-07 14:53 TU
French overseas departments
Strike ends in Guadeloupe, gears up in Reunion Island
A 44-day general strike in Guadeloupe ended Wednesday night, with the signature of an agreement to improve living standard. Trade unions on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean called for a strike movement to start Tuesday, demanding similar measures.
2009-03-05 11:02 TU
French Caribbean
Deal in Martinique, strike goes on
Despite deals signed to raise salaries by 200 euros on Saturday in Guadeloupe and Monday night in Martinique, the two French departments in the Caribbean are still at a standstill more than seven weeks after the beginning of a general strike.
2009-03-03 14:18 TU
French Caribbean
Thousands turn out in Paris for Guadeloupe/Martinique
Several thousand people demonstrated in the east of Paris on Saturday to show support for those in Guadeloupe and Martinique, both French overseas departments, in the Caribbean where cost-of-living strikes have brought everyday life to a standstill for several weeks.
2009-02-28 19:05 TU
French Caribbean
Government and some bosses sign deal in Guadeloupe
“We got our 200 euros, it’s OK,” exclaimed union leader Rosan Mounien after signing a deal that cedes to Guadeloupe strikers’ chief demand. After a second night of negotiations, the government and the strikers signed the deal. But several employers’ representatives did not show up to the meeting.
2009-02-28 10:39 TU
French Caribbean
Deal in Guadeloupe, rioting in Martinique
On the French West Indian island of Guadeloupe, a deal to end the month-long strike has been reached in principle. It concedes the strikers' primary demand, a 200-euro raise for low-income workers, though no deal has been formally signed. Meanwhile, in neighbouring Martinique, rioters burned storefronts and cars.
2009-02-26 12:43 TU
Reports
French Caribbean – interview
Quiet Mardi Gras in Guadeloupe as strike negotiations are postponed, and tourists stay away
The streets of Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe, were deserted Tuesday afternoon, which these days is not so unusual, since the French island has been shut down by a general strike for the past five weeks. But this was not just any Tuesday: it was Mardi Gras, usually a day of Carnaval marches, but this year it was silent, because the mayor cancelled the festivities.
2009-02-25 07:44 TU
French Caribbean
Negotiations to end Guadeloupe strike stall
Strikers in the French West Indian island of Guadeloupe upped the pressure Monday night, after a day of fruitless negotiations with bosses. They called for the month-long general strike to continue.
2009-02-24 12:25 TU
French Caribbean - photoreport
Thousands turn out for trade unionist’s funeral in Guadeloupe
Negotiations between union leaders and employers on the French island of Guadeloupe were suspended over the weekend for the funeral of a trade unionist who was shot dead last week. Jacques Bino was killed Tuesday night at a barricade by a bullet whose origin is yet to be identified, although police insist that they did not fire it.
2009-02-23 15:48 TU
French Caribbean - report
Guadeloupe strike to continue over the weekend
After several hours of talks with business representatives, leaders of the general strike on the French island of Guadeloupe announced Friday evening that negotiations were suspended until Monday.
2009-02-21 12:51 TU
French Caribbean - interviews
Some Guadeloupe shops reopen, business owners prepare negotiations
Shops began reopening in strike-bound Guadeloup Friday, as businesses hope that the month-long stoppage will soon be over. Talks are set to resume later in the day.
2009-02-20 17:36 TU
French Caribbean - report
Sarkozy responds to Guadeloupe strike after a month of crisis
As the general strike on the French West Indian island of Guadeloupe marked its 30th day, French President Nicolas Sarkozy promised more than half a billion euros in subsidies in a televised address. Sarkozy, who has been criticised for being slow to respond to the crisis, promised to go to the island if the current unrest dies down. Strike leaders declared the offer vague.
2009-02-20 10:41 TU
French Caribbean - report
Strikers mourn death of Guadeloupe trade unionist
On the day after the death of a trade unionist on the strike-hit island of Guadeloupe, his comrades gathered to pay tribute to his memory, discuss who was to blame for the death and insist that their struggle for better pay will go on.
2009-02-19 15:25 TU
French Caribbean – report
Guadeloupe and Martinique deadlocked, frustration rises
Negotiations between employee unions and employers to end strike movements in the French departments of Guadeloupe and Martinique are deadlocked. People are increasnigly frustrated over the lack of food in supermarkets and petrol in gas stations.
2009-02-19 09:31 TU
The first three weeks
French Caribbean
Guadeloupe negotiations stalled, Réunion Island may join strike
2009-02-13 09:35 TU
French Caribbean
Guadeloupe and Martinique strikes continue as Prime Minister rejects state-funded pay increases
2009-02-11 14:04 TU
Background
French Caribbean - explainer
Turmoil in France’s overseas departments and territories
2009-02-21 15:29 TU
Listen
Other overseas French territories
French Polynesia
Separatist elected Tahiti President, compromises on independence
2009-02-12 12:49 TU
French Polynesians celebrate their culture in Paris
Laura Angela Bagnetto meets Paris-based Polynesians far from home: Tahitian choreographer Andrea Terai and the tattoo artist Hina Tetaupu from Tuamotu Island.
(Photo: Ahu Tiare Nui)
2008-12-21
