France Since the end of September, there has been a wave of mobilization in response to the increase. cost of living due to the energy crisis caused by ukraine war. This Tuesday is the second cross-industry strike request an increase fees balancing the rise inflation.
The first strike took place on September 26, the day the strike began in most of the country. refineries and more fuel tanks country causing problems. refuel at many gas stations.
Prime Minister of France, Elizabeth Borneannounced on October 11 fuel tanks demand American multinational Esso Exon mobile. Starting the next day, the French government forced the operators to work at the Port-Jérôme Gravenchon warehouse in Normandy (western France) under threat of legal punishment. A week after saying “no shortage problem”, Emmanuel Macron he is moving with an iron hand to thwart the massive strike that has left gas stations in the north of the country without fuel.
1. What is the current situation?
France is celebrating a cross-industry strike day this Tuesday, especially public transportdemanding wage increases to offset the rise in inflation, and condemning the government’s response to the refineries’ strike for weeks. “We want a minimum salary of 2,000 euros, which is equivalent to an increase of 300 euros,” said Philippe Martinez, secretary general of the CGT. The country, which is the second largest economy in the European Union (EU), recorded the lowest harmonized inflation rate in the euro area with 6.2% in September, below other economies such as Germany (10.9%), Italy (9.5%) and Spain. . 9.3%, according to Eurostat. Despite being better off than its neighbors, the social climate in France is tense. Fear of losing purchasing power was the main concern of the French during the last election period from April to June, and the call to save energy to avoid blackouts in winter made the atmosphere rare.
2. How is the situation at gas stations?
this 30.1% of gas stations According to the latest data from the Ministry of Energy Transition, there is a fuel shortage in France. These issues have been recurring since last October 5th and were highlighted from the following weekend. They mainly affect: northern region Hauts-de-France (about 60% of gas stations suffer from famine) and all Paris metropolitan area (with 45% famine).
The main reason for this is great strikelasting more than three weeksof workers Total and Esso Exon on mobile. Since September 26, they have supported this mobilization, which has a large following – up to 90% of operators – at three of the country’s six main refineries and several fuel depots. They also block access to these facilities. Added to the disruption of these key infrastructures in supply is the preventive purchase of drivers in the face of increasing challenges.
3. What are the demands of the unions?
Employees of these energy companies ask: Salary increase —10% for total and 7.5% for Esso Exon mobile – this offsets strong inflation (5.6% in September) and takes into account the outstanding benefits of these groups. Together Net profit of more than 10,000 million Euros In the first half of the year, Total symbolizes companies in France making record profits, which are considered indecent by some of the public. energy crisis.
Leaders of both groups agree to increase salaries, but at lower rates than unions demand. They arrived at the beginning of last week deals Not yet with more moderate trade union organizations (mainly the CFDT), but more combative organizations like the CGT and Force Ouvrière.
4. What measures has the French Government taken?
The Government of Emmanuel Macron first quietly tried to resolve the first relevant social conflict in an autumn that could be hot in France due to inflation, the energy crisis and the government’s desire to extend the minimum retirement age from 62 to 65. . Olivier Véran, spokesman for the administration, “no shortage problem”. But six days later, authorities took a heavy hand in demanding the fuel tanks and the work of the operators necessary for the supply.
5. How does it affect drivers?
Fuel shortage caused long lines, more than an hour at gas stations. It also caused a sudden increase in fuel prices. The price, which fell to 1.50 euros per liter in September with a 30 cents state subsidy, rose to 1.80 in a few days. In addition, essential services such as school bus lines were also interrupted in some towns in the Paris region.
And there was also Moments of tension between drivers. So much so that a man arguing with another customer at a gas station near the Swiss border was stabbed six times in front of his children.