A nationwide strike by public sector workers is taking place in France on 29 September. Over 170 demonstrations and rallies are planned across the country. Civil servants are demanding pay rises and increased funding for public services ahead of the presentation of the draft budget for 2027. Teachers, healthcare workers, firefighters and employees of other public sector organisations are joining the protests.
Civil servants are calling for a review of their salaries
Eight major trade union federations in the French public sector — the CGT, FO, CFDT, UNSA, FSU, Solidaires, CFE-CGC and FA-FP — have called for a nationwide mobilisation.
One of the main reasons for the protest was the government’s planned further freeze on the so-called index point, on which the basic salary level for French civil servants is based.
Trade unions are calling for a general increase in wages and a rise in budgetary funding for public services. They argue that current resources are insufficient to ensure the proper functioning of education, healthcare, emergency services and other sectors.
The protests are taking place two days before the planned presentation of the draft French budget for 2027. The trade unions hope that this large-scale mobilisation will force the government to reconsider some of its planned decisions.
Tens of thousands of people are expected in Paris
The largest demonstration is due to take place in Paris. The main march by civil servants is scheduled to run from Place de la République to Place de la Nation via the Bastille. The French authorities expect 20,000 to 40,000 participants, not including the fire brigade.
Firefighters are holding a separate march. According to the authorities’ estimates, as many as 5,000 to 10,000 rescue workers. Their route runs from Place d’Italie to the Bastille, where the firefighters are due to join the main demonstration by civil servants.
Firefighters are protesting not just over pay. Their demands include an increase in staffing levels, improved working conditions and additional funding for the fire and rescue services following a difficult season of large-scale wildfires.
Teachers and healthcare workers joined the strike
The involvement of education workers should be significant. The largest trade union for primary school teachers predicted that around 40% primary school teachers.
Calls for a work stoppage have also spread amongst staff at state hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
For the first time since 2018, all trade union organisations within the French public employment service, France Travail, have separately called for a strike.
Lyceums are being closed down across the regions
Alongside the civil servants’ protest in France, the mobilisation of secondary school pupils is continuing. In several regions, activists are blocking the entrances to secondary schools, demanding more funding for education and improved learning conditions.
The student protests began the day before and spread to a number of French cities. In some places, the demonstrations were marred by clashes and arrests.
The strike is taking place on the eve of a key budget decision
The main focus of the protests has been France’s 2027 budget. Trade unions fear new spending cuts in the public sector, a pay freeze and a further reduction in workers’ purchasing power.
The organisers describe the strike as a means of putting pressure on the government just before the finalisation of budgetary priorities. The scale of participation in the demonstrations will become clear once the main marches in Paris and the regions have concluded.
