The general strike in Polynesia is lifted after the signing of a protocol for the end of the conflict between the inter-union and the Polynesian government which endorses social advances but maintains the vaccination obligation, noted an AFP journalist on Monday evening (Tuesday November 30 in the morning in Paris).
The inter-union at the origin of the strike movement, which began on Wednesday, protested against the vaccination obligation and for the introduction of anti-Covid social measures.
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President Édouard Fritch refused Monday to repeal the law on compulsory vaccination, voted in August by the local assembly. From December 23, it will force all people who work in contact with the public to be vaccinated. The amount of the fine incurred in the event of refusal of vaccination was however halved. Opposition to vaccination remains high: only 59% of Polynesians are vaccinated despite saturation of hospitals and more than 500 deaths in August-September.
But after thirty hours of negotiations in eight days, the four local unions obtained a 2% increase in the minimum wage in December.
The government has also accepted the principle of a “
fund to help employees who have lost their jobs
” from January 2023. A recurring demand from unions in this ultra-marine community without an unemployment fund.
The strike very little followed in the local administration
The most discussed point was the representation of the government in the CPS, the local social security. The government wished to be better represented there: he recalled that French Polynesia had to contribute to its financing on several occasions in recent months. The chronic deficit of this fund, which manages both the Polynesian health and pension system, has been further accentuated by the Covid epidemic. The local government will ultimately have five seats on the CPS board of directors, along with employer representatives and unions. But the deliberations will have to be voted by three quarters of the votes, which will force the government and employers to take into account the position of the unions.
The general strike had mainly been followed in companies which had internal demands, such as the OPT (posts), EDT (electricity) and Vini (telephony).
But it has received very little attention in education and local administration.
Raiatea airport was paralyzed for several days by the firefighters' strike and slowdowns were observed at the port of Papeete.