26 Nov 2008

French Polynesia public sector strike enters third week

8:41 pm on 26 November 2008

A public sector strike in French Polynesia is entering its third week, with unionsts saying they are determined to maintain their action.

Their campaign had been aimed at stopping French government plans to downgrade pensions for those retiring overseas.

However, Paris has decided to go ahead with the reforms.

The unions now say they plan to hire a lawyer to challenge the changes in court.

The public broadcaster in French Polyensia, RFO, has been on strike in a separate protest against the French government plans to stop advertising on public service television.

As a result, news broadcasts have been dropped for two days.

This comes as the territory's hospitals are set to go on strike by Wednesday morning local time.