France: Further strikes and protests September 18-25

Event

Labor unions have announced four new strikes to be staged on September 18, September 21, September 23, and September 25 to protest new reforms set to deregulate the labor market. According to the French government, these new laws will be adopted by the Council of Ministers on Friday, September 22, and will come into effect shortly after.

On Monday, September 18, unions representing road and maritime transportation employees have called upon their workers to strike.

On Thursday, September 21, one of France’s main labor unions, General Confederation of Labor (CGT), has announced a second nationwide strike set to affect transportation services, public institutions, and the health and education sectors.

On Saturday, September 23, former presidential candidate and current leader of the political party La France Insoumise has called for mass street protests throughout the country. A demonstration is scheduled at 14:00 (local time) at Paris’s Place de la Bastille.

On Monday, September 25, several unions have called on truck drivers to launch an indefinite strike and to erect roadblocks near oil facilities, which could affect fuel supplies at service stations.

As a result, disruptions to air, sea, and ground transportation are to be expected in the upcoming week.

Further information regarding the various strikes is set to be released in the coming days.

Context

These protests follow the related September 12 general strike and protests which gathered between 223,000 and 400,000 people throughout France. Demonstrations took place in the country’s major cities and some regional rail networks experienced disruptions.

Advice

Travelers are advised to keep abreast of the situation, confirm their travel reservations and itineraries, and anticipate transportation disruptions.