Primary teachers’ union in Paris calls for strike as COVID-19 cases rise

The main trade union for primary schools in Paris called for a strike on March 25, to protest against the government’s failure to protect the stakeholders from a third wave of the COVID-19 infections ongoing across the country.

The reason for the strike has been the government’s pride in keeping the schools open amid most of the pandemic, while some of the neighbouring countries had closed their schools and colleges for months during the first wave of COVID-19.

The union said that no formal date has been set for the strike. However, the strike will affect Paris and its outer areas.

The call for strike also reflects a growing concern among health workers and teachers on the government’s incompetency in containing the further spread of the virus. This also includes President Emmanuel Macron’s refusal to impose a third nationwide lockdown in the country.

French government’s spokesperson Gabriel Attal said shutting down schools will be the last resort. However, Valerie Pecresse, who oversees the Ile de France region encompassing Paris and its surroundings, has proposed to increase the school holidays for April to two weeks.

The Ile de France region is one of the most affected areas in the country as the virus hits western Europe once again.

Earlier this week, the government has also closed non-essential stores and limited people’s movements and social gatherings, along with a nightly curfew in place from last week.