14 Apr 2009

Mass rally in New Caledonia targets politicians

7:21 am on 14 April 2009

There has been a union-led mass rally in New Caledonia's capital to express range of grievances.

The protest was joined by an estimated 1,000 people and was led by the CSTNC union leader, Sylvain Nea, with the crowd denouncing the leadership across the political spectrum, including the French state.

The demonstrators took issue with policies in the area of immigration, housing and education, while challenging the authorities for being lax with breaches by businesses but tough of unions.

The action came four weeks before voters will go to the polls to choose new provincial assemblies for a five-year term.