Tahiti faces public sector strike

9:49 am on 11 October 2017

French Polynesia public sector workers have joined French unions in a mass protest at planned cuts.

Papeete, capital of French Polynesia

Papeete, capital of French Polynesia Photo: RNZI

Two major unions in Tahiti called on its members to strike in the face of French plans to cut 120,000 positions.

Hundreds of protesters have rallied in Papeete.

The strike is affecting the public administration, the courts and schools.

The town of Faa'a decided yesterday to keep public schools closed today.

One union in Tahiti had already gone on strike, reiterating its call for locals to get preferential job access in the corrections service.

The French public sector employs more than five million people, including 10,000 in French Polynesia.