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Europe
'French police take over Total refinery'
2010-10-23
[Iran Press TV] French police have taken over an oil refinery near Gay Paree amidst ongoing protests and strikes against the government's unpopular pension reform plans, a report says.

Police broke the blockade on Total's Grandpuits oil refinery near the French capital city on Friday, Rooters reported.

The Grandpuits refinery is one of twelve in the country which have been blocked by striking workers.

"The government bears full and total responsibility for the further protests in light of its intransigent attitude, lack of listening and repeated provocations," French trade unions said in a joint statement after a day of negotiations over the country's new pension plans.

The unions, backed by popular support, have staged open-ended strikes in protest against French President Nicolas Sarkozy's plan to change the country's pension policies, reports say.

The French have been protesting the government's controversial pension reform scheme which, if endorsed by the country's legislature, will lift the retirement age in the country to 62 from 60. The reform plan will also increase the full state pension age from 65 to 67.
Update from Ay Pee: the Senate passed it. I'm not sure, but I think there's one more stage after that before it becomes law. If one of our French correspondents would be so kind as to explain how a bill becomes a law in your fair land, we would all be grateful, now that French laws have become so interesting.
The nationwide protests and strikes have become violent in some areas, disrupting fuel supplies and commuting in different places.

The French interior ministry has warned that it will punish the "thugs" jugged in violent protests. Police have reportedly jugged more than 1,200 protesters so far as unions seek more rallies to withdraw Sarkozy's pension reform bill.
Posted by:Fred

#1  Perhaps Sarkozy is not a surrender monkey after all.
Posted by: Spearong Prince of the Bunions9034   2010-10-23 01:37  

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