Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Araghchi to Grossi: These parties will bear responsibility for the consequences of their actions
Araghchi to Grossi: Iran will respond to any unlawful action by European countries or parties attempting to turn the Agency into a tool for achieving their objectives
Araghchi to Grossi: We urge the Agency to warn against the consequences of any political move against Iran
Araghchi to Grossi: We call on the Agency to highlight Iran’s full cooperation during the upcoming Board of Governors meeting next week
Araghchi to Grossi: We demand that the Agency reflect the facts in a manner that prevents certain parties from exploiting it to advance their political agendas
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi holds a phone call with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi
Trump envoy Witkoff has sent 'detailed and acceptable proposal' to Iran for nuclear deal; it's in their best interest to accept it: White House Press Secretary Leavitt
Hamas official says Witkoff's position toward group was 'unfair' and shows 'complete bias' to 'Israel'
Hamas official says it has considered Witkoff's proposal acceptable for negotiations, says 'Israel's' response was incompatible with what the group agreed on
Hamas official says group has not rejected Wikoff's proposal for Gaza ceasefire

Mass protests held across Paris over inflation, low salaries

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 18 Oct 2022 19:13
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

Mass protests are happening across France against high food and energy prices and the sanctions on Russia that are crippling the French economy. Yet the media continues to turn a blind eye to this.

  • x
  • People gather for a protest for salary raise, in Paris, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022 (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
    People gather for a protest for salary raise, in Paris, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022 (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

Massive strikes were held today in Paris and at various locations across France over stagnating wages in the face of high inflation and lower living standards, according to reports. 

The protests were initiated and organized by the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) and a number of other trade union centers.

Workers from various industries, which include foremost the energy and nuclear sectors, public transport, agri-food, banking, and commerce sectors, as well as education and public healthcare, walked off their jobs today to take part in the protests. 

Among the protesters were yellow vests, leftists, youths, and Antifa radical activists.

"We joined the demonstration to demand salary hikes to offset the cost-of-living crisis sparked by the energy crisis and the war. But you shouldn’t blame the war alone because capitalists use it to pocket money," a protester told Sputnik.

Massive protest in Paris, France against European Union policies and worsening energy crisis. pic.twitter.com/4HtbASB0uH

— The Poll Lady (@ThePollLady) October 17, 2022

Since September 27, employees at the French and US energy groups TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil have been demanding a pay raise of 10% well as the indexing of 2022 wages to match the record-breaking inflation.

Related News

CNBC unveils strategic plan to revitalize Syria energy sector with US

Venezuela accuses ExxonMobil oil giant of conspiring against state

Workers have been outraged over the immense wealth amassed by the two refineries after a price surge allowed the companies to commission mindblowing dividends, as well as additional special dividends to investors. 

On October 11, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne unapologetically told oil refinery workers that they need to "learn how to stop a strike" and further threatened workers that the government was prepared to use force to order staff at depots run by Exxon's Esso France unit back to work, with similar measures possible at Total depots if wage talks don't lead to a solution.

The CGT union called the government's plans violent and suspended all ongoing negotiations with it.

"Let's get out of NATO!"

Tens of thousands of people in Paris today calling for France to leave NATO. pic.twitter.com/AmeIsAKll7

— sarah (@sahouraxo) October 8, 2022

So far, the strikes have caused a reduction of France’s total refinery output by more than 60%. equivalent to 740,000 barrels of gasoline a day.

Moreover, the French energy ministry reported that almost 30% of the country's gas stations were experiencing shortages of at least one type of fuel.

Earlier today, Transport Minister Clement Beaune said that the rail operator SNCF will face "severe disruptions" with half of the train services canceled. Suburban and bus services in the Paris region will also be interrupted, according to RATP, but the inner-Paris metro system should remain relatively unharmed.

Their actions will likely set the tone for contentious autumn and winter as Macron works to achieve his hallmark domestic policy of raising the retirement age in France. However, the economic strain created by the war in Ukraine and the sanctions on Russia, along with Macron's party's inability to achieve an overall majority in June legislative polls, only adds to the magnitude of the task.

Read more: Massive rallies across Europe over soaring prices, living costs

  • ExxonMobil
  • employees' wages
  • Energy crisis
  • inflation
  • France
  • TotalEnergies

Most Read

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump tensions

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump pressures

  • US & Canada
  • 25 May 2025
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
An Israeli army vehicle moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 29, 2025 (AP)

Hamas rejects Witkoff ceasefire plan, says alters terms

  • Politics
  • 29 May 2025
Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announces a new operation against Ben Gurion Airport on May 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen announces successful hypersonic missile strike on Ben Gurion

  • Politics
  • 30 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
MIT bans class president who gave pro-Palestine speech
US & Canada

MIT bans class president over pro-Palestine speech

Arab ministers condemn Israel 'ban' on planned West Bank visit
Politics

Arab ministers condemn Israeli ban on planned West Bank visit

Major General Hu Gangfeng, Vice President, National Defense University, People's Liberation Army, China, leaves after a panel discussion during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Politics

China blasts Hegseth, calls US top 'troublemaker' in Asia-Pacific

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: Reports
Technology

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: NBC News

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS