Equality and Social Justice for the French Overseas Departments
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President of France, European Commissioner for Competition
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To: President Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the French Republic
To: Commissioner Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for Competition Policy
13th February 2009
Monsieur le PrГsident de la RГpublique
Palais de l'ElysГe
55, rue du faubourg Saint-HonorГ
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 Departmentвs peopleвs 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
в A majority of the population cannot afford basic products such as milk, which is currently priced at в1.2/litre and costs only в0.50 in continental France.
в Even locally produced bananas are more expensive in the French Caribbean than in mainland France.
в The high prices are fuelled by an uncompetitive industry landscape which often defies European competition laws.
Economic Imbalance and Social Tensions
в A minority of slave ownersв descendants and non-native people control a majority of the regionвs economy (e.g. agriculture, distribution and import/export) and land.
в An unemployment rate between 21\% and 24.7\% across these Departments, which is almost three times the national average (source: Insee).
в 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!
в 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
в 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.
To: Commissioner Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for Competition Policy
13th February 2009
Monsieur le PrГsident de la RГpublique
Palais de l'ElysГe
55, rue du faubourg Saint-HonorГ
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 Departmentвs peopleвs 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
в A majority of the population cannot afford basic products such as milk, which is currently priced at в1.2/litre and costs only в0.50 in continental France.
в Even locally produced bananas are more expensive in the French Caribbean than in mainland France.
в The high prices are fuelled by an uncompetitive industry landscape which often defies European competition laws.
Economic Imbalance and Social Tensions
в A minority of slave ownersв descendants and non-native people control a majority of the regionвs economy (e.g. agriculture, distribution and import/export) and land.
в An unemployment rate between 21\% and 24.7\% across these Departments, which is almost three times the national average (source: Insee).
в 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!
в 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
в 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.
364 Signatures
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Sandrine Bruisson
- City and Country of Residence
- UK
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Sahr O Fasuluku
- Comments
- I support this petition. Please act now.
- City and Country of Residence
- London, UK
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Pollion Maelle
- City and Country of Residence
- UK
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Marc-andre BOULON
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L. Bertrand
- City and Country of Residence
- Paris - France
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Jean-Hugues BOLVIN
- Comments
- Vive les antilles !!!!!
- City and Country of Residence
- UK
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Elodie ISIDA
- City and Country of Residence
- London, UK
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Jeanine
- Comments
- Casts in the 21st century, it cannot happen anymore we have to break this cycle
- City and Country of Residence
- London, UK
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Nathalie Rosamont
- Comments
- Martinique
- City and Country of Residence
- London, UK
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peggy saint-auret
- City and Country of Residence
- London
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Tato Conrad
- City and Country of Residence
- Piсones, Puerto Rico
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Veronique Mathurin
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Bertogal Olivier
- Comments
- В
- City and Country of Residence
- Londres - Royaume Uni
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Michael LOYALLE
- City and Country of Residence
- London
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ravaud
- City and Country of Residence
- france
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Alexandra Boylan
- City and Country of Residence
- London, UK
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Dola
- Comments
- on vous soutiens meme de loin
- City and Country of Residence
- London. UK
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Lauret
- City and Country of Residence
- London, UK
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LORIEL Jeannetty
- Comments
- May God has his own way, and his justice will accomplish
- City and Country of Residence
- Northolt - LONDON
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Chris Rob
- City and Country of Residence
- EU
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Steve Crawshaw
- City and Country of Residence
- United Kingdom
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Annabelle Mackenzie
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Krystel
- City and Country of Residence
- United Kingdom
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Charles GAMESS
- City and Country of Residence
- LONDON UK
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Olayemi Bakare
- City and Country of Residence
- London, UK
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Yolande Baptiste
- Comments
- l'Union fait la Force
- City and Country of Residence
- LONDON
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Vanessa Beloni
- City and Country of Residence
- USA
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Roland John-Leopoldie
- Comments
- That's the way to do it!!
- City and Country of Residence
- London
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Lami Marc
- Comments
- que dois je comprendre DOM=Dйpartement Oubliй de la mйtropole
- City and Country of Residence
- Guadeloupe
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Marie SERBIN
- City and Country of Residence
- London
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HERBA
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Le Goff Glwadys
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bolvin cella samantha
- City and Country of Residence
- london
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Elodie HELISSEY
- City and Country of Residence
- UK
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Alex Dufait
- Comments
- La Gwadloup se tan nou
- City and Country of Residence
- London
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Audrey B.
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Alain Samba
- Comments
- В
- City and Country of Residence
- В
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MANCHE MARIO
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bota
- City and Country of Residence
- london, uk
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rosy
- City and Country of Residence
- london
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Nadyr
- City and Country of Residence
- London
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Joelle luce
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Paola Sabouret
- Comments
- Egalite
- City and Country of Residence
- UK
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sulyse suzanon
- City and Country of Residence
- london, united kindom
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Thibaudiere
- City and Country of Residence
- France
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virginie
- City and Country of Residence
- Guadeloupe
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HYRO
- City and Country of Residence
- GUADELOUPE
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DELLON JEAN-CLAUDE
- City and Country of Residence
- france
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GAЛL
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COLOT Michel
- City and Country of Residence
- guadeloupe
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364
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