Equality and Social Justice for the French Overseas Departments

To:  President of France, European Commissioner for Competition

To: President Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the French Republic
To: Commissioner Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for Competition Policy

13th February 2009

Monsieur le Président de la République
Palais de l'Elysée
55, rue du faubourg Saint-Honoré
75008 Paris France

Commissioner Kroes
Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 200
1049 Brussels Belgium

Cc: Maurice Gourdault-Montagne, Ambassador of France to the United Kingdom


We are writing to you today in support of the French Overseas Department’s people’s right to voice their grievances and establish a dialogue with the French Government.

Since January 20th 2009, civil workers, independent business owners, trade unions and civilians in the French Overseas Departments have entered into a general strike to address deep-rooted inequality issues. The current global recession has made these imbalances intolerable, highlighting the need for change.

Astronomical cost of living
• A majority of the population cannot afford basic products such as milk, which is currently priced at €1.2/litre and costs only €0.50 in continental France.
• Even locally produced bananas are more expensive in the French Caribbean than in mainland France.
• The high prices are fuelled by an uncompetitive industry landscape which often defies European competition laws.

Economic Imbalance and Social Tensions
• A minority of slave owners’ descendants and non-native people control a majority of the region’s economy (e.g. agriculture, distribution and import/export) and land.
• An unemployment rate between 21% and 24.7% across these Departments, which is almost three times the national average (source: Insee).
• As per the most current report in 2004, already, disposable income for all French Overseas Departments was 40% below the French average. Next worst was North Pas-de-Calais at 17.1% below average (source: Insee).

The French government already sent troops to Guadeloupe despite the non-violent nature of the protests. Our fear is that this jeopardises the commitment to an open dialogue and peaceful resolution of the situation.

So far, this crisis has been met with neglect from the French Authorities and silence from the world press.

Expatriates originating from Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guyana and The Reunion departments as well as supporters globally are joining together to raise awareness and show international solidarity.


We petition to SAY NO TO SOCIAL INJUSTICE and YES TO EQUALITY!

• We ask, Commissioner Neelie Kroes, that the European Commission immediately play an active role in ensuring Competition law is applied in the local economies of the French Overseas Departments

• We ask, President Nicolas Sarkozy, that your government seize this opportunity for social dialogue and find a sustainable solution with the people of French Overseas Departments to alleviate social injustice.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Equality and Social Justice for the French Overseas Departments Petition to President of France, European Commissioner for Competition was created by Members of Stand Up Carib Group and written by Laurence Baptiste (standupcarib@yahoo.co.uk).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.