France hit by fuel shortage

Around 1,600 gas stations faced shortages as a result of nationwide protests against the recent labor reforms passed by President Francois Hollande’s government, according to RT.com.

The changes in French labor laws such as the extension of maximum working hours, reduction of overtime pays, and the liberalization of the labor market making it easier to hire and fire employees were met with barricades and blockades across the country.

“Six out of eight oil refineries are currently blocked, and five out of around 100 fuel depots are also affected,” said the RT report.

Long queues to petrol stations and incidents of aggression against gas station workers due to shortages have also been reported.

The government remains defiant though and has ordered the police to continue removing barricades around refineries, according to a Bloomberg report.

Trade unionists like Maxime Vicard likewise vowed to continue with the strike until the government withdraws the labor law reforms.