French strikes continue to disrupt rail travel, students join, fuel shortages feared

[News_Editor]

French strikes continue to disrupt rail travel, students join, fuel shortages feared

2010-10-13 21:46:51 GMT+7 (ICT)

PARIS (BNO NEWS) -- French protests against the government's proposed pension reform gathered over 1 million people in nationwide protests as the strikes disrupt the country's transport system and close down around 70 percent of its oil refinery capacity.

According to the unions, around 3.5 million protesters on Tuesday gathered to form the biggest demonstrations since the pension disputes began. Police said the number of people was around 1.2 million.

Nonetheless, the local and national transportation system was disrupted for the second consecutive day as the CGT union reported that union members in the RATP Paris transport network voted by a large majority to renew their strike action over President Nicolas Sarkozy's plans, which include raising the retirement age from 60 to 62.

Fuel stocks and filling stations could begin to run low this month as 8 of the 12 French refineries were beginning to shut down its operations, a process which takes around two days to complete. In addition, another three refineries were affected by strikes.

Residents have begun to panic, creating long lines at filling stations in fear of shortages. Furthermore, prices could rise significantly if France is forced import fuel.

Students and schools joined the demonstrations and the protest movement for the first time. This was an important move that has drawn concern from the government as French history has shown that the student movement is strong and could lead to radicalism and possible street violence.

"Sarko, you're screwed, the youth are on the streets," they chanted.

Government officials, however, have remained supportive of the pension reform, and are pushing the reform bill through parliament as they believe the strikes and protests will diminish and disappear once the reform becomes reality.

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