ISTANBUL

The French convener of the Union for the Protection of African-Caribbean Peoples and Resources (RPPRAC), which was founded in the French Caribbean colony of Martinique, said the government in Paris has chosen repression as the only response to the ongoing demonstrations against cost of living on the island.

France and its Caribbean colony Martinique are separated by about 6,800 kilometers.

Since the start of September, people in Martinique have been protesting in front of supermarkets against high cost of living and exorbitant food prices, which are 40% higher than in mainland France, with over 30 people detained so far.

While the Martinique governorate imposed a curfew in some neighborhoods of Fort-de-France and Lamentin on the island at night on Sept. 19-23, Republican Security Units of the French National Police were deployed to Martinique this week.

RPPRAC officials in France explained the origins of the demonstrations against the cost of living in Martinique.

Melouane, who did not want to give their surname, said the demands of the 2009 demonstrations against the cost of living in Martinique have still not been met 15 years later.

“Nearly 15 years after the big strike in 2009, we have seen the situation deteriorate for the people, not only in Martinique but also in Guyana, Guadeloupe, La Reunion and other overseas territories. People are exhausted. Salaries do not correspond at all to the cost of living.”

Referring to the fact that RPPRAC therefore sent a letter of warning to supermarket chain representatives on July 1 due to high prices, Melouane explained that the companies in question only agreed to reduce prices by an inconsequential margin.

Melouane said the delay in responding to the letter was perceived as disrespect by the public, and then demonstrations against the cost of living were organized in Martinique on Sept. 1.

The official said the demonstrations demanded price alignment with those in mainland France and called for a public meeting with supermarket chain representatives. While a meeting did take place with Martinique Governor Jean-Christophe Bouvier, supermarket representatives, and RPPRAC President Rodrigue Petitot, citizens were not permitted to hear the discussions.

Melouane said it is unacceptable for those who do not know the situation of the people to make proposals about the cost of living, and that the people of the region continued to demonstrate peacefully.

“The only response from the government has been repression”

On France's response to the demonstrations on the island, Melouane said: “The only response that the government brought was repression, so gendarmes, the security forces in general and the army were on the scene, there was tear gas, there was looting. And this led to general discontent.”

Melouane criticized the lack of transparency in the negotiations on the cost of living, saying: “Both some local elected officials and the governor have shown a condescending attitude, indirectly implying that the people do not understand the structure of prices and food costs in Martinique.”

RPPRAC France coordinator Lindy, who did not want to give their last name, argued that no concrete solution has been brought so far to the demands regarding the cost of living on the island.

“People are on the streets right now because prices are not in line with those in mainland France,” Lindy said, emphasizing that prices in Martinique are too high.

“People are being allowed to starve to death”

Pointing out that while the price of a six-pack water bottle is 1.05 euros in mainland France, this price reaches 11-12 euros in Martinique, Lindy said this was unacceptable.

“The water is dirty and people are allowed to starve to death. This is unacceptable. All we ask is that the prices are in line with those in France. And today they are sending security forces to us. People who are protesting peacefully so they can eat, children, mothers and people with reduced mobility are being pepper sprayed and it's deliberate.”

Lindy said France was “stoking the fire” with its actions against the demonstrations on the island, adding that although some protesters intervened with tear gas, the demonstrations were always peaceful.

“Today the prefecture is sending additional troops. What is the message here? Can't we eat like the rest of the world?” Lindy said, arguing that the unemployment rate in Martinique is high and that the island is subject to meaningless taxes.

Emphasizing the vital importance of water, Lindy explained that the pesticide “chlordecone” had contaminated the water sources on the island.

*Writing by Efe Ozkan