The protests in France for the project that seeks to raise the retirement age to the 64 years they do not stop This Thursday, Paris was the epicenter of another day of demonstrations that took to the streets with strong support from youths -some of whom have not even entered the labor market-.
The students blocked access to some universities and secondary schools while another group raised the tone of the complaints by setting a vehicle on fire and vandalizing bus stops.
The new generations, already concerned about the inflationthe uncertain job prospects and the climate changehave made clear their commitment to their future.
“I don’t want to work all my life and be exhausted at the end”said Djana Farhaig, 15, as another teenager carried a sign reading “I don’t want my parents to die working”.
According to Thomas Coutrot, an economist specializing in health and working conditions, the general feeling in society is that “work has become somewhat unbearable” hence “young people perceive that working conditions are deteriorating and workers no longer understand why they work”.
Along with the young people, the unions demonstrated their opposition, which in the last few hours sent a letter to President Emmanuel Macron requesting a meeting to reverse his proposal.
They pointed out, in turn, that the “silence” of the Executive in this unruly climate can lead to “serious consequences” and an “explosive situation.”
“For us, the unions, this lack of response represents a serious democratic problem and will lead to a situation that can become explosive”reads the letter sent to the Élysée Palace.
Along with the letter, the electricity service branch of the influential French union CGT ordered the power cut to the large sports complex located in the northern suburb of the capital, home to the Stade de France and several sites that are under construction ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games.
Are “historic” mobilizations -of which there are already six calls in the year- keep several sectors of the country paralyzed that prevented the fuel transportation at the gates of several refineries and the first problems of shortage at service stations.
With regard to transport, air traffic continues to be one of the most affected, with the cancellation of between 20% and 30% of flights. The frequency of trains continues to be disturbed, although it is slowly beginning to return to normal.
The trash It has been another of the aspects reached by the protests since the cleaning workers have joined the measure of force. These days, it is estimated that at least some 1,800 tons of waste are in the middle of a Parisian street.
The increase in odors and the proliferation of rats have led to the conservative Geoffroy Boulardmayor of the 17th arrondissement, to suggest hiring private companies to take care of garbage collection.
Lastly, another of the most symbolic pickets took place in the border crossing with Spain at the height of Le Perthuswhere some 300 trade unionists – summoned by the French centrals – organized a protest that caused delays for kilometers.
The French gendarmes had to intervene to unblock the motorway at 10:30 am, after two hours of protest.
(With information from AP and EFE)
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Source-www.infobae.com