French Labor Strike Threatens Cannes Film Festival

 

The Cannes Film Festival is approaching and amid growing headlines, many news reports from labor organizations are also attracting our attention. Recently, freelance festival workers have been calling for a strike during this major event.

A French union representing festival employees will engage in a walkout during the film festival. An official statement came from the group on Monday.

The primary reason behind this call for a strike is labor reform and unemployment status. The French organization brings together hundreds of festival workers such as projectionists, drivers, and caterers. If they go on strike, it will cause major tensions during the Cannes Film Festival.

Workers in the French television industry who meet a certain threshold of hours worked in a year are eligible for special benefits or compensation during unemployment periods. However, the French government has already cut these unemployment benefits in half.

Beginning July 1st, the government plans to introduce new legislation that will require freelance workers to work more hours annually to receive benefits.

Jean-Charles Canu, a prominent member of an advocacy group called “Under the Screens of Despair” and the director of Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight, spoke to Variety news source. Canu said, “If enacted, this bill will force about 80% of festival workers to change jobs because they won’t be able to make ends meet.”

He also confirmed the French government is working on a plan to introduce a new law that will make it more difficult for workers to qualify for benefits and compensation during periods of employment. These changes are creating a great deal of uncertainty for festival workers, to the extent that many may be forced to quit their jobs. This in turn puts the events they love at risk.