2021 French labor protests

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Protest and strikes of the CGT union 2021
Part of protests against Emmanuel Macron
Date19 January 2021 — ongoing
Location
 France
Caused byFrench pension reform proposal
GoalsWithdrawal of French pension reform proposals
Anti-government
Anti-capitalism
Anti-fascism
Methods
  • Strike action
  • Protest
  • Barricades
  • Blocking traffic
  • Disabling traffic
  • Offering free service
Status
  • Ongoing
Parties to the civil conflict
Lead figures
France Jean-Luc Mélenchon France Emmanuel Macron
President of the French Republic

France Jean Castex
Prime Minister of France

France Gérald Darmanin
Minister of Interior

France Bruno Le Maire
Ministry of the Economy and Finance

In 2021, protests and strikes emerged among the Confédération Générale du Travail (CGT), a national trade union, and French citizens dissatisfied about their country's economic situation in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. The protests have been oriented against job cuts. In recent months, France has been shaken by anti-security protests regarding the protection of officials.

Background[]

The UNL,  [fr], and  [fr] gathered to announce protests against the COVID-19 pandemic's health, economic, and social consequences.[1] They accused the government of catastrophic decisions affecting employment and the youth. Trade unions and other activist organizations decided to intensify the process of mobilization and initiatives in January and early February to preserve and develop employment and public services against insecurity. This process was based on previously scheduled professional mobilizations, such as health calls on January 21, 2021, national education calls on January 26, 2021, and energy calls on January 28, 2021. The main protest rally which included all social categories was scheduled for February 4, 2021, in Paris and other cities across France.[2][3]

Protests[]

The first protests of the union began on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, in Marseille, where theatre actors gathered, expressing dissatisfaction with the month-long closure of the theatre due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] On January 20, 2021, students from various parts of France gathered in Paris and several other cities chanting the slogan: "Defend living conditions and studies."[5] In Paris, on January 21, 2021, hundreds of people demonstrated in front of the Ministry of Health, waving posters that read: "Our struggle, your health," "Increase our salaries," and "Money for the hospital, not the capital." They pointed out the poor working conditions of "all medical, social, health and animation workers." Staff of hospitals and nursing homes were offered a salary increase of 183 Euros net minimum as part of Ségur de la santé (health safety), while other workers in the sector were "forgotten" even if "we have equal diplomas."[6]

Protest on January 23, 2021[]

At the invitation of several yellow vests collectives and as part of mobilizations against global security and "separatism"; a united march for freedom was scheduled for Saturday, January 23, 2021, in Paris. The meeting began at 11:00 a.m. in front of the State Council and finished at noon at the Place du Palais-Royal. The convergence of the fights took place at 2:00 p.m. in the National Assembly. Collections of yellow vests and citizens engaged in marches against the laws of global security and separatism.

Besides CGT and SUD, dozens of worker syndicates as well as companies like Sanofi, Cargill, SKF and General Electric, affected by the law participated in the protests. Left Party leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon addressed the protest.[7] New major protests were scheduled for February 4.[1]

Protest of students and LGBT population on January 31, 2021[]

On January 31, 2021, several thousand members of student associations and the LGBTQ community gathered in Paris to protest against poor educational conditions and social standing.

CGT protest on February 4, 2021[]

On February 4, 2021, more and more players from higher education such as unions, activists, and teachers protested in Paris with occasional minor incidents between police and protesters.[8]

Strike and demonstrations in Bordeaux on 6 February, 2021[]

In Bordeaux, February 6, 2021, was chosen among the unions as a new protest day and a national strike to demand pension reform. Several hundred people gathered on the occasion.[9]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b https://www.cgt-cd13.org/
  2. ^ "La CGT du Conseil Départemental 13". La CGT du CD13 (in French). Retrieved 2021-01-31.
  3. ^ "Le 04 février : toutes et tous, ensemble, mobilisé-es - Union Fédérale des Syndicats de l'Etat - CGT". ufsecgt.fr. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
  4. ^ "Marseille : paroles de comédiens, à la rue la détresse du monde de la culture". France 3 Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (in French). Retrieved 2021-01-31.
  5. ^ "Les étudiants appelés à manifester ce 20 janvier pour "défendre les conditions de vie et d'études"".
  6. ^ "Des milliers de professionnels de la santé dans la rue pour dénoncer leurs conditions de travail". France 24 (in French). 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
  7. ^ "Entre l'Assemblée nationale et le Medef, manifestation à Paris contre les licenciements". France 24 (in French). 2021-01-23. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
  8. ^ "Comment l'écriture inclusive prend le pouvoir à l'université".
  9. ^ "Grève et manifestation à Bordeaux : Le point sur la journée du 6 février".
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