French public sector workers strike over pay freeze ahead of 2027 budget

On September 29, a strike by public sector workers began across France. The protesters are demanding that pay raises be included in next year’s national budget.

A coalition of public sector unions is organizing more than 170 rallies across France, demanding pay raises for public servants. The unions hope to mobilize as many public servants as possible to influence the government’s decision on the next budget, which is scheduled to be presented on Thursday.

Firefighters will join the strike. Between 5,000 and 10,000 firefighters will march in a separate procession through the French capital before joining the Paris march involving civil servants.

Between 20,000 and 40,000 people are expected to take part in the march in Paris, not including firefighters.