Tens of thousands of civil servants have launched their first nationwide protest against austerity measures by the socialist administration of President Francois Hollande in 120 cities across France, Press TV reports.
According to CGT Equipment-Environment labor union, around 150,000 people participated in the Thursday protests nationwide.
Hollande’s government has refused to lift a public sector pay freeze, which was imposed by his predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy in 2010, in an attempt to curb spending and reduce the national debt burden.
“We are not ignorant of our nation’s bad economic situation and budget constraints. But the unions have a very clear idea about how to distribute our nation’s wealth and we are waiting for the socialists to act,” said Nicolas Baille from the CGT Equipment-Environment Union.
“[President] Francois Hollande has continued to cut jobs. He hasn’t increased our spending power. He gave 20 billion euros to corporate bosses with no strings attached. There are many things he promised to change, but he hasn’t changed anything.”
Nearly 25 percent of civil servants are only paid the minimum wage but the French government says there is no money for even a slight increase in payments.
The low salaries have led to an 11-percent drop in purchasing power since 2000.
In May 2012, two-thirds of civil servants voted for Hollande, making them a key voter demographic.
Since taking office, Hollande’s approval ratings have plummeted from 61 percent to a current 44 percent.
ASH/HSN
