BASSE-TERRE, Guadeloupe – FRENCH President Nicholas Sarkozy has announced the use of over a half billion Euros in new subsidies for strike-plagued Guadeloupe.
According to Caribbean Net News, Sarkozy said that 580 million Euros would be put aside for projects that would raise the standard of living in the French overseas territory, which has been crippled by a general strike since January 20.
The announcement comes after his meeting with Guadeloupian officials in Paris yesterday (Feb. 19).
The French President promised to fly to Guadeloupe sometime in the near future to commence a three-month exercise that would entail him gathering opinions on how to reform mainland France’s relations with its overseas departments.
“Today we have a duty to listen to our fellow citizens and we have, at the same time, the duty to ensure the rapid reform of civil order,” Sarkozy said.
In addition to Sarkozy’s announcement, Prime Minister Francois Fillon revealed that Paris would make support payments to low-wage earners totalling almost 200 Euros per month. The move followed all-night negotiations and was one of the key demands of the striking unions, known collectively as the LKP.
In response, LKP Leader Elie Domota said, “We can’t be satisfied with mere announcements. They’ll have to show us a detailed proposition. I think it’s serious, but it’s a shame they waited 30 days until a militant died before they started making offers.”
Hundreds of police reinforcements were deployed from mainland France after a labour activist was shot dead on Tuesday (Feb. 17).
Earlier in the week, shots were fired at security forces, injuring five police officers. Police have arrested and detained almost a hundred protesters within the past two weeks.
Additionally, actions by protesters forced the temporary closure of Guadeloupe’s airport on Monday.
Since the strike begun, schools, stores and government offices have been closed. The industrial action has spread to the neighbouring island of Martinique.
Guadeloupe News