France tapping fuel stocks as strikes cause gas shortages
France has started using its fuel reserves to deal with gasoline shortages caused by strikes and protests over a bill weakening worker protections.
Unions are targeting the nation's gas tanks, railroads and electricity network this week as they try to push the government to drop the labor reform, devised to make France more globally competitive by extending the work week and making layoffs easier. Opponents say it will enrich company bosses and won't create the jobs it promises.
The head of the group overseeing France's petroleum industry, UFIP, said Wednesday on RMC radio that the government has approved the use of fuel stocks for the past two days.
