News

On March 18, French UNICARE affiliates took strike action and protested alongside social welfare organizations, retirees, and members of the public, to defend the French social protection system. Protesters and strikers strongly opposed the austerity measures which are currently threatening jobs in the social protection sector, and which threaten the well-being of the French public.

The March 18 action was one of a series of activities kicked off in February with walkouts and events throughout the country. These protests are occurring because threats to social protection are very real, with austerity measures and budget cuts leading to attacks on wages, employment, and working conditions for workers, and attacks on benefits and supports for those at need in the community.

UNICARE affiliates from around the world sent their solidarity and support to the French affiliates saying ‘we are with you as you take this action, because we know that the cuts you face are hurting workers and families in many nations worldwide.’

‘Adequate social insurance and care are basic rights and are essential to our communities. EU and French government policies should not target social protection and care – these are especially important to society's most vulnerable and ultimately to the well being and strength of our democratic society as a whole. Rather, now is the time to invest in social protections, to invest in care, and to build social inclusion and cohesion.’