Large demonstration staged in Papeete

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.