Protests and strikes across France, 448 arrested

France has been rocked by protests over wage increases and the rising cost of living. Hundreds of thousands of people took part in demonstrations and strikes across the country on Thursday (November 5). 53 law enforcement officers were injured in clashes between protesters and police. 448 people were arrested. In addition, 86 cases of arson were reported.

The French Interior Ministry said the figures were available as of 6pm on Thursday. While most of the approved protests across the country were peaceful, there were incidents of tension and clashes in the cities of Paris, Lyon, Rennes and Toulouse.

According to the Interior Ministry, about 575,000 people took part in the protests across the country. Of these, 65,000 were in the capital, Paris. Earlier, the initial estimate was that the number of participants was about 600,000.

However, the country's labor union CGT claimed that about 1.6 million people took part in the protests. They estimated that 350,000 protesters gathered in Paris alone.

CGT Secretary General Sophie Bennet called the strike "very effective" and called on the government to accept the workers' demands.

"Nothing can stop us," he said at the Paris protest, demanding a pay rise for all workers and a 10 percent increase in the minimum wage.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sebastien Le Cornouaille has announced a meeting with representatives of labor unions and employers to address the situation. The "social conference" will be held in Matigny next Monday, according to a government statement.

The nationwide strike has also affected schools, colleges and universities. According to the Ministry of Higher Education, educational activities have been disrupted in 60 of the country's 184 higher education institutions.

On the other hand, the teachers' organization SNES-FSU claims that 52 percent of employees at secondary and higher secondary level educational institutions have participated in the strike.

Local media reported that police have launched operations to remove student blockades in several cities, including Paris and Bordeaux.

It is worth noting that a student movement began in France in mid-September. The movement, which began to protest the educational environment, funding, and teacher-staff crisis, has now spread across the country to demand a salary increase and a reduction in the cost of living.

Source: Anadolu