France on strike

So France enters yet another day of strikes today. But it would be wrong to equate this to 'the English disease.' Unlike England in the 70's, there are no clear demands. Protesters are demanding government action to protect jobs and wages. As if. Whilst salaries, certainly around here, are fairly low, jobs are already well protected and social security benefits are very good. It's legally difficult to fire anybody and (I presume subject to rules) if you do get fired, you can expect the state to look after you. It's no wonder that employers are reticent to hire, that short term contracts are not unusual and that once you're fired and assuming you qualify, you're in no hurry to find a job.

This unrest is more about sabre rattling. The unions of which there are relatively few and actually not that powerful, are trying to keep government on its toes and have popular support. The cynic in me would point out that as it's Thursday a lot of people will also take tomorrow off to make for a nice long weekend. When all said and done, we're all miserable in January, there's lots of economic gloom, and there are no public holidays planned until April, and with only four planned for May. Life's tough.

Where I do have sympathy, is that the cost of living and taxes are high in France, without the salaries to match and with a huge swathe of the population employed by the state, it's difficult to see how things can change that much. They've got themselves into a bit of a mess.

With a mandatory 35 hour working week, Sarko is trying to get people to work more. Fat chance. Years of patronising, protectionist, paternalistic government have developed a quasi communist state. The population are naturally bolshy and have demanded and received more and more over the years. Who can blame them if by protesting you get what you want?

Frankly, I have never seen anything positive about a strike. To my mind everyone loses. But then maybe it's me that's wrong (it usually is - Ed). Whilst I sometimes find it frustrating, with shop closing hours and the like, the work, life balance is generally good here. Rest, relaxation and family are important. I suppose the dilema is how to square the circle. I'm not too sure about that one and I don't suppose anybody else is either.

Still, the sun's shining.