|
|
|
|
|
French strikers turn to violence Tensions are rising in Paris as hardline protesters supporting a one-day national strike against new job laws clash with the police. The proposed law, which will allow any worker under 26 to be sacked without reason within a two-year trial period, has already sparked riots across Paris and other major cities. Incidents in Paris last week included looting, clashes with riot police and mass muggings. Now, on the day of an official union strike, scenes have turned ugly once more as police and protesters clash. So far there have been scuffles in Paris's Place de la Republique, where hooded protesters have taunted police. It is thought at least a million people are demonstrating throughout France. According to police estimates, 31,000 are marching in the southwestern city of Bordeaux, 28,000 in Marseille and 17,000 in Lyon. The protests are a major challenge for Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, a potential candidate in next year's presidential election. He hopes the measure will reduce youth unemployment from the current 23 per cent, but union and student leaders say it will create a generation of "throwaway workers". "It's really annoying, all these delays," said one young worker at Paris's St Lazare station. "I'm going to be half an hour late for work." --------------------------------------------------- Please help our fight against the New World Order by giving a donation. As bandwidth costs increase, the only way we can stay online and expand is with your support. Please consider giving a monthly or one-off donation for whatever you can afford. You can pay securely by either credit card or Paypal. Click here to donate. |
