14 Jun 2010

Striking French Polynesian airport firefighters ordered back to work

7:43 pm on 14 June 2010

The French high commissioner in French Polynesia has intervened in a protracted general strike and ordered firefighters to return to work at Tahiti's airport.

In a statement, Adolphe Colrat says the strike stopping all international flights since last Thursday is an excessive action and poses a risk to public safety.

A handful of firefighters at the airport has been on strike as part of broader action to protest against the economic hardship.

If the firefighters return to work, flights could resume by tomorrow.