Guadeloupe – FRENCH MINISTER Yves Jego arrived in Guadeloupe yesterday (Jan. 3) to attend talks aimed at ending a two week strike by workers within the French territory.

According to BBC Caribbean, an alliance of 47 unions and local organisations launched the strike on January 20 to protest the high cost of living.

The alliance has enumerated 146 demands including an increase in minimum wage, a freeze on rents, a cut in taxes and food prices, and a 50 percent reduction in the price of petrol.

The strike has resulted in the closure of most of the country’s shops while public transport and state services have also been affected.

Meanwhile, the island’s petrol station workers began industrial action on January 19 as a protest against the establishment of new petrol stations on the island, leading to a petrol shortage.

Guadeloupian business leaders have warned of economic ruin if the two disputes are not resolved as soon as possible.

“We must not underestimate the fears and anger which have been strongly expressed by our compatriots in Guadeloupe. Given the scale of the crisis and the risk it poses to the country, we need serious and coordinated action from all the players involved,” Jego said.

As a French territory, Guadeloupe, with its approximate 500 000 inhabitants, is a part of the European Union. French government officials have expressed their desire to prevent an outspread of the industrial action to the mainland, where unions are demanding more government action to tackle the economic crisis.