France's CGT union calls for nationwide strike against mass layoffs

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - France's largest trade union CGT has called for a one-day nationwide strike next month in opposition to mass layoffs.

In a statement on Wednesday, the union said the mobilization call is for Dec. 12, as in recent months "we have witnessed a sadly historic bloodletting in the industry."

The post on X said 180,000 jobs are threatened and there are 252 layoff plans, adding: "We will not let this happen with impunity."

"So on Dec. 12 we are mobilizing everywhere in France to defend our jobs, our industries and the lives of thousands of people!" read another post on the social media platform.

CGT Secretary General Sophie Binet called on the government to implement an emergency action plan in response to the employers' decision to lay off thousands of workers.

Binet argued that the government should not allow the closure of workplaces in the industrial sector and mass layoffs.

Railway workers in the country are also set to begin an indefinite strike on Dec. 11.​​​​​​​