Margaux Fodéré 06h21, March 23, 2023

For the past two months, strike days have multiplied and are beginning to penalize the French economy. Europe 1 went to a restaurant near the Montparnasse train station in Paris where the impact of these days of mobilization is beginning to be felt.

After the use of 49.3 by the government, and the speech of the President of the Republic who ignited the powder, this Wednesday, March 22, the movement against the pension reform hardens and settles in the long term. For the past two months, strikes have multiplied and are beginning to penalize the French economy. Europe 1 visited a restaurant near the Montparnasse train station in Paris where the impact of the strikes is clearly felt.

>> READ ALSO - Strike in refineries: priority petrol stations in Marseille attacked

The French economy penalized

A few meters from the train station, at the foot of the Montparnasse Tower, this Parisian bistro is often packed. For a few days, customers have been waiting on the terrace: "We have 5 people, for 25 seats," says an employee of the restaurant.

Six people sitting inside

Inside, the situation is even more alarming. "We only have six people when we can accommodate 60. It's almost like being on summer vacation," says a waiter at the microphone of Europe 1.

With repeated strike days on trains and public transport, the restaurant has lost a good part of its clientele. "Bordeaux, all of Brittany. People often have work meetings and we haven't seen them for 15 days. Our regular customers are at home," the waiter adds.

>> READ ALSO - What is a strike fund?

At least 20% less turnover

The turnover of the Parisian bistro has decreased by at least 20%, the expenses, they are still the same. So the restaurant has to adapt: "In the evening, when we see that the activity is a little less, we free people. The extras that we also usually too, we use them less. Our boss, when he asks us to take paid leave in general, we say yes, "says David, employee in this bistro.

These adjustments are working for now, but they won't be sustainable in the long term, David adds: "People want to keep paid leave so they can leave in the summer, that's obvious." If the movement continues, he believes that other solutions such as part-time work will soon have to be considered.