While the conflict is bogged down in the West Indies, the government is considering an "individual solution" for nursing staff and firefighters in Guadeloupe to be suspended because reluctant to compulsory vaccination, according to the Ministry of Overseas.
At the end of a meeting with the Minister of Overseas Overseas Sébastien Lecornu, the president of the association of mayors of Guadeloupe Jocelyn Sapotille argued that the suspension of the vaccination obligation “initially refused, today (was ) under consideration ”by the government.
"We are not asking to repeal the law, it applies, but we are asking for a parenthesis to resolve the situation of 1,200 to 1,300 Guadeloupeans who will find themselves without income" because suspended, he added to the hurry.
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At the same time, a spokesperson for the cabinet of the Ministry of Overseas France affirmed that "the vaccination obligation for caregivers and firefighters will not be lifted".
The Ministry of Overseas Territories is committed to "apply the law with proportionality and discernment within the framework of the local instances of dialogue and listening", specifies a press release published at the end of the meeting.
Towards “an individual solution”?
"It is legitimate that an individual solution can be offered to each staff to be suspended" added the ministry, which will hold a similar meeting this Friday at 3 pm with the president of the regional council, the president of the departmental council and the parliamentarians of the territory of Guadeloupe.
While opposition to compulsory vaccination was the trigger for the crisis, which extended to social demands, the mayors of Guadeloupe also propose that caregivers who do not wish to be vaccinated be subjected to PCR tests. "Regular".
"Interministerial work must (...) continue in the coming hours to announce the strategy adopted," commented the ministry.
Tensions also in Martinique
Elected officials also request the arrival of Sébastien Lecornu on site "within a fairly short timeframe" and the opening of a debate on a possible change in the status of Guadeloupe.
According to the ministry, Sébastien Lecornu will go “soon on the spot”, but such a trip “must not be organized under pressure and must be part of specific and shared commitments”.
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The crisis has spread to Martinique, a neighboring department where, like his counterpart in Guadeloupe last Friday, the prefect imposed a curfew "from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m."
Its objective is "the return to a peaceful situation" which "then allows (you) to dialogue, work, move forward", but also "the return of public service and the reopening of the school system", indicated the prefect. by Martinique Stanislas Cazelle.