Guadeloupe Revolution

General Strike
A general strike was called by the Union of Guadeloupe Workers (UGTG) headed by Elie Domota on January 20th, 2009. Nearly 25,000 workers took to the streets resulting in petrol stations shuting down along with most shops and most tourists fleeing Guadeloupe proper. The demands of the workers included a $200 euro raise for the lowest workers in Guadeloupe. Nearly 22% of people are currently unemployed and there has been a 20% decrease in market value for all food and general merchandise. .
Violent Revolution
In the early morning of February 18th, 2009 Jacques Bino, aged 50 was shot and killed by maurading youths in the capital of Guadeloupe in Pointe-a-Pitre. Three police officers were wounded in an exchange of gunfire as they came to the assistance of Mr. Bino but he expired before care could be provided. Elsewhere in Baie-Mahult three more police oficers were shot and wounded by rioters.
Five shots were fired at security forces in Saint-Rose and several buildings were burnt down. Twenty rioters were arrested because of the incident.
Causes
The conflict has exposed race and class divisions on the island, where the local white elite wields power over the black majority. The economy is largely in the hands of the "Bekes," the local name for whites, who are mostly descendants of colonial landlords and sugar plantation slave owners of the 17th and 18th centuries. A Socialist opposition leader, Malikh Boutih, said it was "shocking" to watch a police force "almost 100 percent white, confront a black population" and drew a parallel with the 2005 suburban riots in France. "There are no concrete buildings, there are palm trees, but it's the same dead-end, the same 'no future' for young people, with joblessness and a feeling of isolation," Boutih said.
France has agreed to increase wages for the lowest wage earners in Guadeloupe and Martinque.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu