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General strike in France as workers continue protests against Raffarin government
On March 10, tens of thousands of workers throughout France joined a national strike to oppose plans by the government of Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin to extend working hours beyond the current 35-hour week and to undermine social welfare benefits, including health care and pension rights.
The strike paralysed the country, disrupting transport and services in 55 towns and cities nationwide. Organisers say that nearly one million people participated in demonstrations across the country—150,000 in Paris and 800,000 elsewhere.
The strike paralysed the country, disrupting transport and services in 55 towns and cities nationwide. Organisers say that nearly one million people participated in demonstrations across the country—150,000 in Paris and 800,000 elsewhere.
The action was the latest in a series of national protests. On February 5, some 500,000 people demonstrated across France, and workers and students held industrial action and protests earlier this week in the run-up to the general strike.
On March 8, between 165,000 to 200,000 students held nationwide demonstrations to protest reforms to the curriculum at universities and secondary schools. In Paris police used tear gas against students in an attempt to disperse the protest.
On February 9, the National Assembly, the lower parliamentary chamber, legislated to allow private-sector employees to exchange time off work for more money, thus making large inroads into the 35-hour week law introduced under the previous Socialist Party government. The French Senate approved the new measures on March 4.
Read More
http://wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/fran-m11.shtml
On March 8, between 165,000 to 200,000 students held nationwide demonstrations to protest reforms to the curriculum at universities and secondary schools. In Paris police used tear gas against students in an attempt to disperse the protest.
On February 9, the National Assembly, the lower parliamentary chamber, legislated to allow private-sector employees to exchange time off work for more money, thus making large inroads into the 35-hour week law introduced under the previous Socialist Party government. The French Senate approved the new measures on March 4.
Read More
http://wsws.org/articles/2005/mar2005/fran-m11.shtml
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