Monday, April 18, 2005

France - Hundreds of striking seamen shut down the port of Marseille. The workers are angry at the government, which is trying to make it easier for French shipping companies to register as foreign companies in order to pay workers less. The employees of the state-owned Corsica-Mediterranean National Company lit ablaze six brand new cars awaiting embarkation for export and pushed at least two others in the ocean. They also blockaded entrances to the port with loading vehicles and tractors, and defended their positions by hurling pieces of metal and emergency flares at the riot police.