Unrest in Guadeloupe continues, spreads to Martinique

[XXPANTHAXX]

BASSE-TERRE, Guadeloupe – THOUSANDS of protesters marched yesterday
(Feb. 9) in Guadeloupe and Martinique, adding to the unrest experienced
in both countries as a result of industrial action.

According to BBC Caribbean, French government ministers are due to meet
today (Feb. 10) to address the escalating crisis.

More than 10 000 people demonstrated in Guadeloupe, forcing local shops
and businesses to close. The ongoing strike by petrol workers has
precipitated the closure of petrol stations, and port activity has also
been disrupted.

Insult was added to injury with the weekend departure of the French
Minister with responsibility for the overseas territories, Yves Jego,
who had promised upon his arrival in Guadeloupe that he would remain
until a solution to the strike had been found.

Spokesperson for the striking organisations, Elie Domota described
Jego’s return as “contemptible” while General Council Senator Jacques
Gillot stated his revulsion at the abrupt departure.

During his time in Guadeloupe, Jego was involved in several meetings and
negotiation sessions in an attempt to put an end to the crisis. He
negotiated a preliminary agreement between employers and striking
workers for a wage increase, which is to be signed into effect at an
undisclosed date.

The French Minister said he had also negotiated 132 measures that would
change the life of the people of the country. He concluded that his work
within the territory had been done and that “a last stumbling block did
not relate to the state, as it was a conflict between workers and
employees”.

The dispute has spread to Martinique, where thousands of workers took to
the streets to demand government action to address the high cost of
living.

According to a statement released by his office, Jego is “following,
day-by-day, the development of the situation in Martinique and will make
all the contacts necessary to bring its inhabitants the same resolution
that was achieved in Guadeloupe”.


Martinique nears weeklong protest over prices

Associated Press, 02.10.09, 03:35 PM EST

University students and artisans in the French Caribbean island of
Martinique are protesting the high cost of living.

All major commercial centers, gas stations and businesses remained
closed on Tuesday as the protest entered its sixth day.

Government officials have met with protesters, who demand a 30 percent
overall reduction in prices. Union leaders have said they would agree to
a 10 percent reduction among some products. No agreement has been
reached.

Police have said that 11,000 protesters crowded the streets of
Martinique's capital. Union leaders say it was more than double that
number.

The nearby island of Guadeloupe has been paralyzed by a three-week
strike for the same reasons.