Thousands of firefighters across France have travelled to Paris to join a protest calling for better working conditions and a rise in risk pay, Euronews reports.
Videos of the protest posted to social media on Tuesday showed firefighters responding to tear gas being fired at them by police, and scuffles with officers using their batons.
Ambiance à la manif #pompiers pic.twitter.com/ScLfl8s6St
— Christophe Gueugneau (@gueugneau) 28 января 2020 г.
Firecrackers could also be heard being deployed, while orange flares doused parts of the protest route in an orange glow.
According to the Paris police department, officers intervened after several hundred protesters broke away from the main procession, while others attempted to break down safety barriers keeping them on course.
#manifestation #pompiers | Le respect des règles vaut pour tous, quelle que soit la nature de la manifestation. pic.twitter.com/PXoH8mtWT4
— Préfecture de Police (@prefpolice) 28 января 2020 г.
“Respect for the rules applies to everyone, whatever the nature of the event,” the force said alongside a video of protesters who appear to ram a barrier.
The demonstration, which comes after similar action in October, was organised to call for a rise in firefighters’ risk pay – something that hasn’t been increased since 1990 – from 19% of their salary to 25%.
Des gens au balcon applaudissent les pompiers #pompiers #PompiersEnColère #greve28janvier #manifestation #greve pic.twitter.com/NOTDGmvGz0
— Guillaume Poingt (@guillaumepoingt) 28 января 2020 г.
They are also calling for better recognition of the riskiness of their profession, and a response to the number of attacks against personnel – which they say are on the rise.
Tuesday’s demonstration saw firefighters gathering at Place de la République in central Paris, before marching toward Place de la Nation.
It is expected to end at 6 pm CET.