Protests and occupations in France against the high cost of living and for workers' rights

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PROTESTS AND OCCUPATIONS

Public employees, firefighters and students. Days of protests in France with marches, demonstrations and school occupations. Public sector employees protest against the high cost of living: at the invitation of a broad trade union confederation, thousands of employees marched in various cities across the country. In an already tense social climate, occupations in high schools also continue.

Paris, students block several high schools

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AGAINST DEAR LIFE

"Purchasing power" is one of the key issues for public employee unions, who denounce the erosion of the living standards of workers in the sector, caused by inflation and the lack of increases in the index in recent years. Since 2017, public sector employees have only seen their indexation point increase in 2022 (3.5%) and 2023 (1.5%), for a total increase of just over 5%. Meanwhile, inflation from 2017 will reach 24.17% by the end of 2026.

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THE WORDS OF THE UNION

“The indexation point freeze means a pay cut for millions of public sector workers, who are already among the lowest paid in OECD countries,” said Sophie Binet, leader of the CGT union.

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BUSY SCHOOLS

The day is characterized by the continuation of lockdowns in high schools, a movement that began last week in schools in the Paris suburbs. In the Île-de-France region "75 schools are suffering disruption, 20 of which have been the scene of clashes, violence or vandalism," the regional council told AFP.

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THE DAMAGES

In the Paris region, the cost of damage is currently estimated at 200,000 euros, according to the same source. Yesterday the government denounced "urban violence", with 164 arrests and 180 institutions involved, and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu deplored the "irresponsible escalation" of the elected representatives of La France Insoumise who "incite the spread of the movement".

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HIGH SCHOOLS BLOCKED

Forty high schools are still completely blocked from students in France, and blockade attempts are underway in another 44. In total, according to the Ministry of Education, there are 316 institutions reporting disturbances due to student protests.

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THE FLAGS

Protesters wave flags at the foot of the July Column during the march organized to mark the day of national strike and public sector demonstrations, in Place de la Bastille in Paris.

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THE BUDGET LAW

The demonstrations were called in response to the appeal of a broad trade union coalition, with the aim of putting pressure on the government two days before the presentation of the budget bill for 2027.

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THE CLASHES

Clashes with the police occurred almost everywhere, with the police throwing tear gas canisters, but in the south there were several minor injuries. In the scuffles in front of Paris high schools and in the suburbs, 26 people were arrested for violence and damage, in Saint-Denis - north of the capital - two arrested for carrying weapons.

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THE FIREFIGHTERS

A firefighter has plasters on his head and wears a sign reading "Don't worry, firefighter = no risk". Firefighters are protesting the difficulties of this summer burdened by huge fires, the lack of staff and low salaries.

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