France Faces Fuel Flow Problems
- 14 years ago
France's government taps strategic fuel reserves and sends police to unblock depots as unions continue to oppose pension reforms.
Parisian motorists queue up to fill up.
Oil workers have been blockading fuel depots and oil refineries across France for several days in opposition to the government's planned pension reforms.
Nearly one in three of the nation's 12,500 petrol stations were dry or running short, forcing the government to tap strategic reserves.
Many drivers were frustrated that they were impacted by the strikes, even if they felt that action was warranted.
[Marjorie Nguyen, Car Driver]:
"The movement may be justified but they should think again about what they are doing. It does punish us and it may not be the best way of doing it."
On Tuesday night the government sent security forces in to unblock three major fuel depots which had been barricaded by protesters.
Officials say they expect that fuel distribution will be back to normal within days.
But at the Grandpuits refinery east of Paris, strikers were determined to continue their protest and force the government to change its plans.
[Franck Mancho, Striking Unionist]:
"We call for the French people to take action, in large numbers, because we can do better, we can show the government that they do not govern an army of sheep, but that they govern a people, people who have families, people who have children, and people who want a future for all."
The fuel shortages have also affected France's airports, where up to half the domestic flights were cancelled on Wednesday.
The government has so far stood firm on its plans to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62, which will be put before the Senate for a final vote later this week.
Parisian motorists queue up to fill up.
Oil workers have been blockading fuel depots and oil refineries across France for several days in opposition to the government's planned pension reforms.
Nearly one in three of the nation's 12,500 petrol stations were dry or running short, forcing the government to tap strategic reserves.
Many drivers were frustrated that they were impacted by the strikes, even if they felt that action was warranted.
[Marjorie Nguyen, Car Driver]:
"The movement may be justified but they should think again about what they are doing. It does punish us and it may not be the best way of doing it."
On Tuesday night the government sent security forces in to unblock three major fuel depots which had been barricaded by protesters.
Officials say they expect that fuel distribution will be back to normal within days.
But at the Grandpuits refinery east of Paris, strikers were determined to continue their protest and force the government to change its plans.
[Franck Mancho, Striking Unionist]:
"We call for the French people to take action, in large numbers, because we can do better, we can show the government that they do not govern an army of sheep, but that they govern a people, people who have families, people who have children, and people who want a future for all."
The fuel shortages have also affected France's airports, where up to half the domestic flights were cancelled on Wednesday.
The government has so far stood firm on its plans to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62, which will be put before the Senate for a final vote later this week.