In Paris, workers, unions and their supporters gathered for a fourth mass protest rally against the government's plans to reform the French pension system and The Local spoke to some of the strikers about how they are managing. The strikes began on December 5th and many people - particularly transport workers - have been on strike ever since. French workers are not paid during strikes and with Christmas approaching many said they were experiencing financial difficulties - but added that they were determined to carry on. "We didn't want to go on strike at Christmas, it was the government who pushed us to do it. We’ll consume less.”Striking workers do not get paid, but unions often run a cagnotte (collection) for donations from the public to give to striking workers.

Source: The Local December 17, 2019 14:11 UTC