12 Oct 2007

Strike in New Caledonia closes ports and domestic airport

11:42 am on 12 October 2007

A one-day strike by New Caledonia's USTKE union has hit the ports and forced the cancellation of all domestic flights.

The strike is in protest at the high cost of living and is part of a range of industrial action.

Walter Zweifel reports from New Caledonia.

"Noumea's domestic airport has been closed to all scheduled flights while security forces have been deployed at the international airport north of the city. Some offices in the city are also being picketed by the USTKE union whose ongoing blockade of the monopoly cement producer has caused a shortage affecting many construction sites. The strike coincides with a visit to New Caledonia by the French Minister of Overseas territories, Christian Estrosi."