People in the French capital are facing a chaotic situation. More than 7,000 tons of trash and smelly garbage have spread across Paris neighborhoods, blocking doorways, sidewalks, alleys and areas in front of schools, restaurants and homes. The situation comes as a result of a strike by waste collectors who oppose Emmanuel Macron's plan to raise the retirement age.
Garbage has been collected in about half of Paris' arrondissements since March 6, after municipal teams opposed raising their retirement age from 57 to 59. 59 may not sound like a bad age to retire, but garbage collectors garbage is paid very little and it is a really hard job. Statistics show that they have a very high early mortality rate.
Locals have expressed to various media that the situation is unbearable; they have difficulty passing through the streets and the stench is unbearable. A seller at a fish shop said he was forced to put the garbage in the fridge so it wouldn't stink. Other people are worried about the rats that have "invaded" the streets.
“Jam përpjekur të krijoj sa më pak mbeturina të mundem, por nuk kam zgjidhje tjetër, më duhet zbres qesen e plehrave dhe ta shtoj në grumbull. Unë votova për Emmanuel Macron dhe mbështes ndryshimin në moshën e pensionit. Por për grumbulluesit e mbeturinave, unë i kuptoj shqetësimet e tyre dhe pse po e bëjnë këtë,” tha një 68-vjeçare për Guardian.
Des #éboueurs toujours en #grève, 5.400 tonnes de déchets non ramassées à #Paris pic.twitter.com/52ixeva0h5
— Guillaume Asskari (@Gasskari) March 12, 2023
Situata vështirë se mud të zgjidhet shpejt, pasi ndonëse kryetarja e bashkisë së Parisit, Anne Hidalgo, u shpreh se po punohej për zgjidhjen e situatës, ajo personalisht mbështet grevat për kundërshtimin e ndryshimit të moshës së daljes në pension.
Macron's proposals to raise the general retirement age from 62 to 64 and increase the number of years of work required to claim a full pension have sparked two months of protests and strikes in France.
