A strike against high prices ?
No. Not really.
The group leading the strike is a set of 49 trade unions, politicians, consumer associations and cultural associations. She filed (one month before beginning of the general strike, and nobody has seen fit to worry about) a book of 146 claims over 10 chapters. Of these chapters, one (one!) For dear life.
But then what does this strike ?
The collective initiative called the strike "LKP" Lyannaj kont pwofitasyon (It's Creole). Translation "alliance against theft and profiteering." It is an unprecedented mobilization. The LKP about 100 000 people in the streets (on a population of 460,000, nearly quarter of the population). Battle Beyond the numbers, one thing is sure: it's history. It is the largest mobilization in the history of Guadeloupe and exit the LKP creates a new record. For a week in Martinique followed suit, meeting for two days and Guyana getting ready.
What is the "pwofitasyon" ?
Above all, do not translate into "profit" (this is a false friend). The "pwofitasyon" here can mean as I mean by "profiteering". In the language current, "pwofitasyon" means the abuse of power that exerts powerful on someone he already knows he is weak as he could, to make it even more subordinate. A typical example is that of children in the playground of an elementary school. The "big" CM2 may exercise in the past "pwofitasyon" on the "small" CP, who have their eyes to weep. (Is not that cute, and our beloved childhood?)
areas of "pwofitasyon" There are many among us:
The statement is as follows. In Guadeloupe, prices are much higher than in France and therefore among the highest in Europe and the world. There is (for the same signs and similar products) spreads over 100% as the distance (we must pay for transportation) does not explain (example: 84% on pasta). According to all experts, after analysis of the chain, from production to consumer's shopping cart, to transport, the additional cost compared to the hexagon should not exceed 10%. The price differences are similar so strongly .... of organized theft.
Some examples of "pwofitasyon" denounced by the LKP :
- gasoline that paid the Guadeloupe was one of the most expensive in the world. There is an international crisis that blew up the oil price, of course, but this does absolutely not the price rallies in Guadeloupe (DOM in general). Today only the beginning light begins to be done on the issue, nobody disputes that.
- The LKP has submitted to the state expertise of fixing prices, result: everyone agrees on the fact that is to say that prices are abnormal (even those who are against the general strike as a form chosen for the report). Secretary of State for Overseas Departments, Yves Jego even considering a lawsuit against the state SARA (Societe Anonyme Refining Caribbean) whose main shareholder (70%) is TOTAL. You probably agree with me that are not needy. And Jego (himself), said that if after investigation it is shown that SARA has received improper payments (this is probably the case), this sum shall be returned to Guadeloupe in the form of a fund for vocational training.
NB: The SARA is a monopoly in Guadeloupe, no competition. One who distributes gasoline.
As for the retail price ... One of the tracks is to create a "basket" consisting of about 100 products on which the vast distributions have no right to exceed the price of the hexagon over 10%, with the creation of a body bi-monthly price controls to prevent further abuses.
Note: The retail giants are near-monopoly. This is mainly group Hayot (Bernard Hayot is in the top 120 fortunes French). In addition they have the import and distribution monopoly on several major brands. To accentuate the problem, the few existing competitors are groups of friends (cousins, wedding ...) since this circuit is in the hands of an ethno-class compact and reduced (**).
(**) see pretty inspiring story of Canal + "The last master of the Martinique "
Another interesting detail. Among the claims on the stroke of life, there are lower rates of banking services. And what happened? Once the banks in Guadeloupe (though the same as in the hexagon) are aware of claims about them, even before this issue was negotiated, the banks have reduced their prices! Let me think it means that the rates were actually abusive.
The remaining claims?
They travel through all areas of society. Really everything. The other 9 chapters: Education, Training, Employment, Trade union rights and freedom of association, Utilities, Planning and Infrastructure, Culture, and finally "pwofitasyon" (this is demanding action now to control prices). I call it a societal movement. If some still talk of living ... I can not help it. It is a true list of grievances. He travels all areas of society.
Remember that these claims are at number 146 and the LKP identified among these 146, 19 to negotiate immediately and others require answers more purely political or institutional, which will be debated long and medium term.
I can, if you want, you send the list of demands.
But then ... Why does not speak it that these fucking € 200 requests that the LKP?
Because that is actually part of the claims and as everyone expected, which is the point of blocking progress. The LKP does not budge. The employers do not budge. The positions are radicalized.
Personal comment: I find it a pity that so fine a point on blocking movement that I consider to be secondary in terms of societal significance on the future of Guadeloupe.
NB: This is an increase of 200 € low wages
The Guadeloupe is asphyxiated and die of starvation?
Not at all! This question prompted me to write this mail. A friend called me today to Metropolitan asking me if we took the shot. At first I started to answer that, despite the duration of the conflict, the mobilization was still needed. It cuts me: "No, I meant ... you Come fill the fridge"!
La Guadeloupe is a general strike for nearly four weeks. Hyper markets and super markets are closed. In contrast, small shops are open but the shelves are more empty ...
BUT: The Guadeloupe organized. The UPG (Union of Producers Guadeloupe) fishermen and are part of the LKP. Fish are not on strike: the fishermen continue to fish and sell their fish. Pets are not on strike: the farmers continue to deal and sell their meat. The earth is not on strike: the farmers continue to work their farms and sell their commodities. Our fridge has never been so full.
The hyper markets are closed, but markets are open. Better still popular markets are held before the picketing and everywhere. Producers to sell their commodities at prices which they used to sell to supermarkets. Accordingly: they do not lose their crops or their income, and the wallet of the consumer appreciates because of exorbitant margins supermarkets are no longer there.
We eat our fill-and-interesting fact we've never eaten much locally!
I do not have potato mousseline, I'm out of Panzani pasta ... so what? I tubers, vegetables, meat, fish, fresh fruit, dried fruit, seafood .. And it's cheaper than usual.
In fact, I think I had ever eaten as balanced my life.
If you've never heard it all, is what the national press because of the misinformation?
I would not say they lie to you. Say that among all that the envoys of the national media see, they choose 5% and choose a rather surprising manner.
The first week they did not speak. The second week they have shown pictures of tourists whose holidays were ruined by the strike (I am sincerely sorry for them, but that's life). They showed supermarket shelves empty and seemed to imply that stock-outs created the greatest confusion ... They blasted a strike that - they say - penalize irretrievably economy Guadeloupe.
Then Secretary of State for Overseas Departments arrived in Guadeloupe. There are altogether moved his office and his staff.