Employees of France’s prison system rallied outside Fleury-Merogis jail in a southern suburb of Paris on Thursday evening, demanding improved pay and conditions. Protesters erected barricades and set wooden crates alight, while chanting against the French Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet.
“This is the launch of a new movement because we are not being heard, because we are being laughed at in the face, we are considered crazy,” said Secretary General of Force Ouvriere [FO] union Emmanuel Baudin, which leads the protest.
Baudin also revealed that further protests are planned, until their demands are met.
“We will block here, then tomorrow Fresnes prison, then all regions,” he said.