French trade unions today called for an intensified struggle by holding a 'maximum scale strike until November 5' following a meeting with the French Prime Minister, whom they accuse of ignoring their demands.
The Secretary-General of the Confederation of Labour (CGT), Sophie Binet, reiterated the call for mobilization after meeting with Sébastien Lecornu and several ministers. This meeting took place against the backdrop of protests last Saturday over the cost of living, as well as demands for improvements in education and healthcare.
Binet stated: 'It is time to take mobilization to a new level; the strike must take command. The CGT, together with the union coalition, calls for maximum mobilization until November 5. We call for general assemblies everywhere, in all workplaces, to consolidate the strike for November 5 and after that date.'
The Secretary-General of the largest French democratic trade union confederation (CFDT), Marilys Leon, emphasized that before this date, when the union mobilization action has been announced, there needs to be 'social responses' to the demands of workers who have been waiting for this for many years.
After the meeting, which lasted more than two hours at Matignon, the Government headquarters, the CGT leader condemned the 'complete disrespect' shown by Lecornu and several of his ministers regarding their demands, according to Binet.
The leader of the second-largest union in France after the CFDT stated: 'The Prime Minister and the Government have not announced any measures to us nor taken our demands into account.'
Binet noted that during the meeting, Lecornu and other ministers gave them 'some hints, but nothing concrete.'
The union director also reported that the only concrete outcome of the meeting was a promise from the Minister of Labour, Jean-Pierre Farand, that he would 'get to them soon to talk about purchasing power.'
The French Prime Minister held today's meeting with the country's union representatives and will meet with political party representatives on Thursday.
The union director also announced that the CGT will be present at demonstrations next Saturday to accompany those wishing to mobilize and 'protect young and working men and women participating in the protests.'
A representative of the 'yellow vests' coordination also reported today that they submitted a request to the mayor's office to hold a demonstration on Saturday, October 24, in Paris, from Bastille Square to the Opera, one week after the protest against the rising cost of living, which took place on October 17.
French President Emmanuel Macron, for his part, called again for firmness against the perpetrators of acts of violence and in connection with the mobilization on Saturday from Qatar.
The head of state stated that 'the hand must not tremble at the top of the State' to punish those who commit acts of vandalism.
Macron also condemned 'foreign leaders' who 'run campaigns at the expense of France,' referencing statements by his American counterpart Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the protests.
Finding 'no visible foreign interference' in these events, the French leader also condemned 'foreign information manipulation that led to unacceptable and foolish comments from many, including foreign leaders.'
He scheduled a meeting with intelligence services for Thursday to discuss the disruptions that occurred on October 17.
The strategy of maintaining order has been questioned for several weeks.
Acts of violence shook several cities in France, particularly Paris, amid the mobilization against the 'high cost of living' on October 17, during which 3000 commercial establishments were looted and burned across the country.
Footage of clashes and burned or damaged public buildings circulated worldwide, prompting several countries such as the USA, China, or Germany to issue travel advisories for their citizens in France.