French Polynesia
| Public servants stage a strike |
| 14 Nov 2008 |
| Public servants staged a strike in French Polynesia on 14 November 2008 over plans by the French government to change a retirement law that currently favors workers who retire in French Overseas Territories. The territory's court system, as well as port and airport customs operations were among the services affected by the strike. In addition, protesters surrounded the house of the French high commissioner for French Polynesia in Papeete, blocking him from leaving for a trip to New Caledonia. Reports indicate that support for the protests is not high among the population, largely due to the disparity in income between the protesters and the general populous.
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| Large demonstration staged in Papeete |
| 10 Oct 2008 |
| A large demonstration was staged in Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia, on 10 October 2008. Reports indicate that approximately 5,000-7,000 people participated in the action, which was organized to protest plans to do away with a pension program for French public servants retiring in French overseas territories. The protesters claim that abolishing the program would harm the archipelago’s economy. Area unions also called for a strike, which affected some public services. The actions coincided with a visit by the French state secretary for overseas, but similar protests have also been staged in other French overseas territories, including New Caledonia.
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