HUNDREDS of police officers flooded the streets of Paris near the police headquarters and city hall on Thursday, in a united stand, responding to the call of various unions to seek financial compensation for their mobilisation during the forthcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris this summer.
The protesters are urging for specific assurances regarding summer leave rights, bonuses for all officers, and increased social support, particularly for childcare.
They have voiced a strong ultimatum, stating that they won’t participate in the Olympics unless their demands are heard.
“We’re four months away from the arrival of the Olympic flame and nothing is ready yet. We have the right to know how we’re going to look after our children this summer, how we’ll be employed and how we’ll get to Paris. And if all that isn’t sorted out, it will be without us,” said Olivier Varlet, General Secretary of UNSA Police Union.
“As you said earlier, without prior agreement, the Olympic Games will be without us. Without the summer holidays, the Olympic Games will be without us. Without a bonus to match our investment, the Olympic Games will be without us. Without recognition, the Olympic Games will be without us,” Fabien Vanhemelryck, Secretary General Alliance Police stated.
Footage shows protesters chanting, lighting blue and red flares and waving flags.
George Knecht, General Secretary of the SNIPAT Police Union, shed light on the challenges faced by administrative, technical, and scientific staff.
“These staff have been between a rock and a hard place for years. They are considered to be the police when it comes to constraints and servitude, as they are for the Olympic Games, but they are never considered when it comes to compensation. So we’re here to give a voice to the 20,000 administrative, technical and scientific staff who will be mobilised in the same way as everyone else (100 per cent attendance, loss of leaves, etc.) during the summer period, and we don’t want to be excluded from the compensations that will be put on the table,” George Knecht, General Secretary of SNIPAT Police Union said.
The upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, scheduled from July 26 to August 11, will require the involvement of a diverse array of professionals during a period when they traditionally take their leave.
Echoing the sentiments in Paris, similar demonstrations unfolded in Strasbourg, Toulouse, and Bordeaux.
