The opposition movement to the health pass and the vaccination obligation in Martinique experienced a lull this weekend, after a week of looting and violence.

The dams remain, however, maintained.

The Minister of Overseas, Sébastien Lecornu, is expected Tuesday, November 30 on the spot, after a passage in Guadeloupe, where the negotiations failed.

But behind a massive rejection of the vaccine obligation, there are also economic and social demands, in particular on the problem of high cost of living and poverty.

"To say that we did not see it coming, that would be lying, begins Nadia Chomville, doctor in sociology and teacher at the Lycée de Fort-de-France contacted by France 24. It is not the Covid that brought the anger over the high cost of living, poverty and the lack of prospects for youth. It was enough of any spark to ignite a fire that had been dormant since 2009 (date of the last major general strike, editor's note). sanitary pass. "

For the sociologist, the causes of the current movement are to be found in the difficulties which have undermined the daily life of the inhabitants of the island for years.

A third of Martinicans live under the poverty line and 17% are unemployed, while living there is 12.3% more expensive on average than in France, according to INSEE.

Denounced 12 years ago during the massive general strike against the high cost of living that paralyzed Guadeloupe and Martinique for 44 and 38 days, the situation has not improved since.

And the Covid-19 has not helped.

Food products up to 40% more expensive

According to Véronique Biarnaix-Roche, co-rapporteur of a report from the Economic, Social and Environment Council (CESE) on purchasing power and social cohesion in the Overseas Territories, contacted by France 24, "all products passing through France to arrive in Martinique are much more expensive, because of transport and dock dues. Some companies are in a monopoly situation on the island and do not allow competition, which drives up prices. And the housing supply is not sufficient… If we want social cohesion in all the territories and if we want to keep them in France, there is an effort to be made. "

The report, published in October 2020, already alerted the public authorities: "The demand for social justice of the overseas must now be heard. Nothing has changed since, and it has even worsened with the Covid-19", deplores today. hui Véronique Biarnaix-Roche.

>> To read also: Mistrust of the State, poverty, hospital in distress ... The origins of anger in Guadeloupe

Particularly the price of food is the problem.

Despite the mechanisms put in place by the State to protect overseas consumers, food products continue to cost around 40% more in Martinique than in mainland France.

And if the civil servants benefit from a "high cost of living premium" to compensate, the salaries of the locals do not follow.

This is also one of the demands of the strikers: the inter-union demands "an increase in wages and pensions of minimum social benefits".

Green salad at 5 euros

"It's simple, summarizes Gaëlle, 33, project manager in Martinique. Here, a pack of Cristalline (inexpensive spring water) costs 7 euros."

Disgusted by the price of her last shopping, the young woman posted on Twitter the photo of her purchases and her receipt.

Twenty euros for barely four products, including a bagged salad at 5 euros.

I present to you 19 € 94 of races at #Carrefour in #Martinique pic.twitter.com/wxUVV9n1zR

- Little Solid Heart 👑💛 (@WayouYouYou) November 28, 2021

"I would like the people of Martinique to be heard and that the prices be revised, she underlines. I know that we are an island and that the products are imported, but the additional cost is enormous. With the gas which increases moreover. , shopping and cooking is a real budget. "

One of the demands appearing on the strike notice filed last November 15 by the inter-union indeed relates to the limitation of the price of oil and gas.

The gas cylinder has increased by nearly 11 euros in two years, to cross the 30 euros mark for 12.5 kg in October.

A problematic situation for Martinicans, many of whom use it for cooking.

Chlordecone, the pesticide that poisons the lives of West Indians

Gaëlle and her family therefore fall back on frozen products, which are cheaper than fresh imported products. For the young woman, it is indeed difficult to consume local. The production is not always sufficient, but it is especially the poisoning with chlordecone that she fears. This insecticide, now recognized as a carcinogen, was used until 1993 in banana plantations and polluted the island's soils: 92.5% of Martinicans have traces of it in their blood.

On Sunday, in response to one of the movement's demands, the government announced the recognition by decree of prostate cancer as an occupational disease. The inter-union platform is also calling for free screening tests for chlordecone intoxication. Promised by the government last March, it is only implemented for workers and pregnant women. For others, the tests cost 140 euros.

The inter-union, the state and local elected officials signed an "method agreement" to try to get out of the crisis.

It lists seven thematic workshops (health, youth, cost of living including fuel and gas prices, transport, chlordeconomics, fishing, culture), corresponding to the major issues, at the heart of the discussions that started Monday in Guadeloupe and continue on Tuesday in Martinique. with the arrival of the Minister of Overseas, Sébastien Lecornu.

Gaëlle, she hopes to be "finally heard. I would like people to stop telling us that they are exaggerating. When I brought the salad to my father, he thanked me by telling me that it was his favorite. It shouldn't be a luxury to eat lettuce! "

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