It is a massacre for French factories and their employees. Michelin announces the closure of its factories in Cholet and Vannes, which employ 1,200 people. An “inevitable” closure according to the group, due, I quote, to “Asian competition on van and heavy goods vehicle tires, but also to the deterioration of Europe’s competitiveness”. Concern, anger and struggle are spreading among the ranks of Michelin employees, who are stepping up demonstrations. Michelin has already eliminated positions and sites in France, Europe and China, always in the name of declining production and competitiveness. “Despite these closures, Michelin remains flourishing: the group is targeting 3.4 billion euros in profits in 2024, a figure similar to that of 2022” is indignant in Libération Serge Allègre, federal secretary of the Fnic-CGT, the branch union chemistry. A case far from isolated. In the same week, Auchan announced the elimination of 2,300 jobs. Employees of the Vencorex chemical platform are threatened by the elimination of 425 positions out of the current 450. At the automobile giant Stellantis, orders are stopped and led to the closure of subcontractors like MA France in 93; or in Rennes, where 250 temporary jobs are eliminated. “Thousands of jobs” will be destroyed “in sectors which are in worrying situations”, warned Marc Ferracci, on France Inter, Saturday November 9. All the communication around Emmanuel Macron’s reindustrialization policy is falling apart, analyze Thomas Porcher and Lisa Lap. The direct consequence of the supply-side policy of the government but also of former presidents, for more than 10 years, according to the economist.
Agricultural anger is starting again with a vengeance. Despite the government’s smokescreens last winter, nothing has worked out for French farmers. The peasant confederation continues mobilizations against Mercosur, a free trade agreement which directly threatens French family farming, indicate the peasants. The FNSEA announces mobilizations starting this Monday. The businessman at its head, Arnaud Rousseau, also castigates Mercosur after having supported free trade a few months ago. On the ground, farmers mainly talk about income.
Between this and the previous subject, Emmanuel Macron’s failures multiply, 6 years almost to the day after the yellow vests. Lisa Lap and Thomas Porcher decipher it all, it’s the Porcher Moment!
Canada
