French strikers blocked shipments at France’s 12 fuel refineries, prompting the government to bring in riot police to remove the strikers at three facilities, according to media reports.
The protests at fuel depots are part of a series of week-long nationwide demonstrations slated to last until next Tuesday. Public transit across the nation has been disrupted, and high-school students in some regions are walking out of class in sympathy with the strikers, reports say.
French transport minister Dominique Bussereau, explained the use of the policing by saying, “We can’t allow a shortage of fuel,” according to the New York Times. Bussereau also allowed companies to tap their emergency fuel supplies, to ease fears of fuel shortages.
Strikers also shut off the Trapil pipeline, which feeds France’s two main airports, Charles de Gaulle and Orly.
The protests at fuel depots are part of a series of week-long nationwide demonstrations slated to last until next Tuesday. Public transit across the nation has been disrupted, and high-school students in some regions are walking out of class in sympathy with the strikers, reports say.
French transport minister Dominique Bussereau, explained the use of the policing by saying, “We can’t allow a shortage of fuel,” according to the New York Times. Bussereau also allowed companies to tap their emergency fuel supplies, to ease fears of fuel shortages.
Strikers also shut off the Trapil pipeline, which feeds France’s two main airports, Charles de Gaulle and Orly.
