Disruption expected in France on Thursday due to strike over inflation

The action will be nationwide as unions demand pay rises for lowest-paid workers

A national day of strike action is planned for March 17
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People in France should expect disruption to public services on Thursday, March 17, as the CGT and Unsa unions call for a national day of strike action over salaries and declining buying power.

Both unions are demanding a “general increase in pay in the private and public sectors, starting with the lowest salaries.”

In their call to strike, the unions argue that: “In France, the fortunes of billionaires have risen by 86% since the beginning of the pandemic, while at the same time, four million extra people have found themselves in a situation of precarity.”

They added that all employees, retirees and young people “share the shame priorities in the face of increases in the cost of living: salaries, pensions and student bursaries must be put up.”

Interprofessional demonstrations are expected to take place along with the strike action. The last day of general strike action to take place in France was on January 27, when more than 150,000 people were mobilised in 170 protests, according to the unions.

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