Authorities in Martinique have struck a deal with supermarkets and distributors to lower food prices, but protesters say the move doesn’t go far enough. Demonstrations over the high cost of living have rocked the French Caribbean island for weeks, some turning violent.
Prefect Jean-Christophe Bouvier on Wednesday announced an agreement between local authorities and supermarket distributors to lower the cost of some food items by an average of 20 percent.
Residents have long complained of the high cost of living on the island, where food prices are 40 percent higher than in mainland France, due mainly to import costs.
The Assembly for the Protection of Afro-Caribbean Peoples and Resources (RPPRAC), which has organised protests since the start of September, refused to sign the agreement, saying it does not cover enough food prices.
The accord was signed between local authorities, national lawmakers, supermarkets, wholesale distributors, the port and transport operators, after a seventh round of negotiations.
RPPRAC leader Rodrigue Petitot said the agreement does not go far enough. It covers “a list of 54 families of products, that correspond to the food products that are most consumed in Martinique”, according to the prefect.
Petitot says it covers 6,000 out of 40,000 products, which is not enough.
The group has called for the Minister for Overseas affairs François-Noël Buffet to travel to Martinique.
“As long as the minister does not come, no one can move around the Island,” Petitot said, referring to roadblocks and port blockages that would continue.
Local authorities have banned some demonstrations, and earlier this week extended a nighttime curfew until at least Monday.
(with AFP)
