French workers protest against pension reforms on outskirts of Cannes Film Festival
1 min read . Updated: 22 May 2023, 02:55 AM IST
PremiumThe protesters were removed from the central hub of the festival, the Palais des Festivals, or Cannes' seaside boulevard, the Croisette. But, they gathered on the edge of the city, on the Boulevard Carnot
Dozens of French demonstrators gathered in Cannes to protest against the raising of the pension reforms pushed through parliament by President Emmanuel Macron's government on Sunday.
The protesters were removed from the central hub of the festival, the Palais des Festivals, or Cannes' seaside boulevard, the Croisette. But, they gathered on the edge of the city, on the Boulevard Carnot.
“We are against the retirement reforms which will make many people die at work," said Tomas Ghestem, one of the demonstrators.
Ahead of the Cannes Film Festival, local authorities in Cannes had ordered a ban on rallies.
The ban has kept Cannes' famous red carpet clear of demonstrations and prevented one of the most divisive issues in France from disturbing the highly orchestrated flow of the festival.
Hospital workers held their protest on private grounds in front of the Carlton Hotel, a historic luxury hotel where many stars stay during the festival. Hotel and catering workers held up a banner reading “No to pension reforms".
Unions have called for a new round of nationwide demonstrations on 6 June.
Film and TV writers are seeking higher pay, reforms for the streaming era and safeguards against the use of artificial intelligence.
Juror Paul Dano said he planned to join the picket lines when he returned home.
Sean Penn called the studios' stance on AI “a human obscenity".
The board for SAG-AFTRA, the actors union, earlier this week voted to ask its members for strike authorisation in its own negotiations with studios for a new contract.
(With inputs from AP)