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BREAKING
Commander-in-Chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps, Major General Mohammad Pakpour: If the enemy makes a mistake, we will respond forcefully, just as we have over the past 12 days
Macron: Reaffirmed importance of using the path of negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear capabilities
Macron: Told 'Israel's' Netanyahu that he shares with him the objective that Iran should never have nuclear weapon
Macron: Reaffirmed to 'Israel's' Netanyahu the need for ceasefire in Gaza
Macron: Spoke to Netanyahu, highlighted mportance of respecting 'Israel'/Iran ceasefire
Iranian Health Ministry: Israeli aggression on Iran has resulted in the martyrdom of 627 people and the injury of 4,870 others across various provinces of the country
Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters mourns its commander, Ali Shadmani, who succumbed to severe wounds sustained during last week's Israeli aggression on Iran
Hamas: Any agreement must guarantee a cessation of aggression and war against our people, a permanent ceasefire, and a complete withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip
Hamas: We affirm our continued positive engagement with the mediators' efforts and with any serious ideas or proposals that could lead to a comprehensive agreement
US President Donald Trump: US will talk with Iran next week

'Worst moment' for strikes amid energy crisis: France gov spox

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 19 Oct 2022 18:52
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

Olivier Véran believes nationwide strikes should be halted on the basis that "Europe is at war" and that now is the "worst moment" to interfere with the functioning of France's economy.

  • x
  • Protesters hold a banner that reads,
    Protesters hold a banner that reads, "who sows misery reaps anger" during a demonstration, in Nantes, western France, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022 (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez)

In light of recent demonstrations that took place across the country over low wages and the increased cost of living, French government spokesman Olivier Véran said on Wednesday that the authorities recognized citizens right to protest.

But he added that now was the "worst moment" for impeding the government's normal operations since inflation and the energy crisis have already made life more challenging for the French people. 
 
"We call for responsibility: Europe is at war. We are facing unprecedented climate challenges, the immediate need to solve the energy crisis, inflation that the government is fighting and unemployment. Yes, we need to discuss the level of wages and working conditions — we welcome social dialogue. However, we believe that now is not the time to call for a blockade of the state and interfere with the functioning of our economy. Now, without a doubt, is the worst moment for this," Veran said. 

Read more: Mass protests held across Paris over inflation, low salaries

Over the past month, oil refinery workers have been protesting to earn a 10% pay raise as well as the indexing of 2022 wages to match the record-breaking inflation.

Oil giants ExxonMobil and TotalEnergies have amassed massive amounts of wealth after a price surge allowed the companies to commission big dividends to board members and additional special dividends to their investors. 

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The protests are generally spearheaded by the CGT and the Forces Ouvrières unions which both have a wide network of workers from various key sectors in the French economy.

These include foremost the energy and nuclear sectors, public transport, agri-food, banking, and commerce sectors, as well as education and public healthcare sectors.

The ministry reported that more than 100,000 people took part in the demonstrations, with alone 13,000 in Paris, to demand higher wages.

At present, one in three gas stations in France is now shut due to fuel shortages. 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.

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. 

Read more: France plays bad cop, threatens building EU defenses: Politico

  • CGT
  • French union
  • ExxonMobil
  • energy
  • France
  • TotalEnergies
  • European Union

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