Thibaud Hue 15:38pm, March 16, 2023

While the strike of garbage collectors has been going on for more than a week in Paris, the police prefecture will requisition agents to clean the capital. Europe 1 went to the waste collection center of Vitry-sur-Seine, which the police unblocked this Thursday morning. On the side of the garbage collectors, there is consternation.

In the capital, the prefecture of police will requisition some agents to pick up garbage in the streets of Paris. The mayor of the capital, Anne Hidalgo, refused to make this decision because she supports the striking garbage collectors. Europe 1 visited a waste collection centre in Vitry-sur-Seine, Val-de-Marne. There, striking garbage collectors have been blocking the site for several days. But the police intervened Thursday morning to unblock him with tear gas and forceful arrests, as Europe 1 found on the spot.

"We will not give up"

The objective: clear the entrance and allow the first truck to leave. A scene that took place in front of dismayed garbage collectors who want to maintain this picket at all costs. Because these agents are very upset in front of the requisition decision taken by the Paris police prefecture to empty the bins that pile up in the streets of the capital.

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"I'm a little disgusted. It is an attack on the right to strike, it annoys people who strike. All this because it's Paris, it has to be clean, it's beautiful," fumes Eric, a driver for 25 years. "But hey, I know the guys from Paris, they won't give in, they won't move, they're going to piss off the people who will come and collect the shit. It's very complicated but we won't give up."

"Let them try to call me, I wouldn't go"

No negotiation, that's the watchword. Abdel Kader, CGT union delegate at the collection centre, is clear: as long as the government does not back down, they will not move. "I ask for an end to the requisition. Retirement at 64 is out of the question. A garbage collector behind the dumpster, he will not be able to hold. Already, we have colleagues of ours who leave well before retirement, they have died the poor," says Abdel Kader. "That they try to call me, I would not go, that's clear and clear. You know, the time they clear all of Paris, it's going to be a very long time. Anyway, let them try: we are still on strike and we will not give up."

While waiting for the first requisitions expected this Thursday, the garbage collectors of the 15th arrondissement must meet this afternoon to vote on the continuation of the picket line.