Trade unions opposed to employment reforms by the government of President Emmanuel Macron, pictured, started blocking fuel depots and major roads first thing yesterday morning
Britons travelling in France have been warned to expect petrol shortages as militant truck drivers took part in anti-government protests.
Trade unions opposed to employment reforms by President Emmanuel Macron’s government started blocking fuel depots and major roads first thing yesterday morning.
By midday there was chaos across the country, with vast traffic jams and pumps running dry, especially close to the Channel ports in northern France.
‘Dozens of petrol stations have run dry because of panic buying, rather than because of the blockades’ said a spokesman for the CGT (General Confederation of Labour), France’s largest union.
‘Those travelling through France from Britain should certainly expect shortages. Our action will continue.’
Mr Macron’s ministers had insisted there would be no shortages, and that police would be used to keep forecourts operating normally.
Economy minister Benjamin Griveaux said: ‘You don’t defend your cause by blockading the country’s economy and by preventing people from working.’
Mr Griveaux also insisted that the country has sufficient petrol and diesel stocks to last out the blockage.
By midday there was chaos across the country, with vast traffic jams and pumps running dry, especially close to the Channel ports in northern France (stock photo)
But many northern stations were soon reporting that they had run out of fuel, while there were also problems in major southern cities such as Marseille in the south.
French lorry drivers fear the country’s new Labour Code will lead to job losses and end their early retirement schemes.
More generally, Mr Macron wants to liberalise France’s employment rules by ending the strong influence the unions currently have on negotiating pay and conditions.
There have already been sometimes violent protests across the country this month, and many more are planned over the autumn and winter.
Mr Macron’s reforms are due to be passed by the National Assembly within days after Mr Macron signed five labour decrees last Friday.
The unions are particularly angry at the speed with which Mr Macron wants to change the system, saying they have not been given enough time to negotiate properly.