French police fire teargas at firefighters demanding pay hike

French police fired tear gas and water cannon on thousands of firefighters who were protesting against low pay and substandard working conditions in central Paris on October 15. Firemen along with hospital staff protested with posters of "Save our firefighters" and "treat our caregivers" highlighting the wages and pensions. Some of the firemen blue flares and waved flags atop a statue during the demonstration.

Protest by professional firefighters

Firemen were in uniform with reflective helmets on, as they walked through the streets of Paris. Though the professional firefighters, who took part in the demonstrations, do not make the majority of firefighters, they managed to line up their vans and create a blockade near the Place de la Nation in eastern Paris. The president of the Union of Professional Firefighters said that there has been ‘total disdain’ from the authorities regarding their issues.

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Yellow vest protesters of France

France has been facing various protests in recent times, especially from the yellow vest protesters who began a revolutionary movement in 2018 demanding economic justice. They have been demanding increment in minimum wages, tax burden, rising fuel prices and high cost of living. In April, when the French government decided to rebuild the Notre-Dame Cathedral after it got damaged in the massive fire, the yellow vest protesters took to streets with a message “look at me — I need help too!” The protesters wanted to send the message that the poor were being ignored by the French government.

“I think what happened at Notre Dame is a great tragedy but humans should be more important than stones,” said protester Jose Fraile.

French police had then used tear gas and water cannon on some 'radical' protesters.

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The symbolism of yellow vest

The protesters chose yellow vests as "a unifying thread and call to arms”. Yellow vests are used because of their accessibility, cost, convenience, visibility, and association with working-class industries. In France, all drivers are required to wear yellow vests and to wear during emergency situations.

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(With AP Inputs)