French Strikes Start to Hit Hard.

French strikes has started to hit the economy hard. With uninterrupted strikes over pension reforms, the situation in France is getting worse. If unions are determined to continue their protests then the government has also decided to move forward with controversial reforms. Government wants to increase the minimum age of retirement from 60 to 62 years. French people, however, are seriously resisting this measure.



The ongoing protests against the pension reforms has hit hard the oil industry. All of the 12 French refineries are shut down causing serious worries of the fuel shortage in the different parts of the country. Out of 12,500 petrol stations of the country, more than 100 petrol stations are finding it harder to maintain a balance between demand and supply.

According to a British media outlet, the strikes has caused main fuel pipeline to the Paris’s main Airport shut off. There are fears that if strikes continue then the nation’s main airport, Charles De Gaule, may run out of fuel next week. Spokesman of the “Aeroports de Paris” said that they are not worried about the fuel shortage, though he did not mention how long the fuel stocks are likely to last.



French public transport is also still on partial strike but France24, a news channel, observes that it has lost its momentum since Tuesday. However, disruptions in public transport are causing congestions in Paris. It takes more time to commute around the city.



With the inclusion of the students in protests against pension reforms, the movement has gained a new momentum. Around 300 secondary schools across the France have been affected by the strikes. In the city of Lyon, the police has to use tear gas and made 16 arrests. Clashes between students and the police, in other parts of France, are also reported.



Tomorrow, on Saturday, 16th October, unions have decided for another major strike in France. Another strike on 19th October has also been announced. Ongoing strikes of public transport has made many people to use bicycles in the Paris city to commute within the city. With strikes tend to continue and government unwilling to back down, it is still not clear how long will it continue.