Talks continue to avert Tahiti general strike

12:04 pm on 6 May 2016

Talks have been held between French Polynesia's government and unions as they threaten to launch a general strike on Monday.

Silhouette of a construction worker.

Silhouette of a construction worker. Photo: Copyright: 06photo / 123RF Stock Photo

The president, Edouard Fritch, has received about 30 union delegates to discuss their grievances which centre on demands for better social security.

The unions have listed ten points to be addressed in response to massive job cuts and the loss of purchasing power since the great financial crisis.

They called for better worker protection and the creation of a fund for the unemployed, saying 15,000 people had lost their jobs and about 80,000 people now lived in poverty.

Media reports said the talks had been constructive and would be followed by a further meeting tomorrow.

The strike notice called for a general strike to begin on Monday, affecting 11,000 businesses.

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