According to the official website, the Olympics and Paralympics are set to be “the biggest events ever held in France” and the government is putting a lot of emphasis on them as part of its message: French President Emmanuel Macron said: In his New Year's address, he said: The tournament was held as part of France's Year of Pride and Hope.
“This moment must be a moment of success for the nation,” Guerini said on Saturday.
Workers' strikes are commonplace in France and are of great concern. To make the Olympics a success, French authorities plan to hire tens of thousands of police officers, soldiers, private security personnel and other workers. A major strike during a tournament can cause major disruption.
The announcement came days after France's major trade unions threatened to strike during the Olympics unless the government made better deals for workers, for example on overtime, housing and childcare issues. Several other unions have also filed strike notices covering the duration of the Olympics, but it is not yet clear whether they intend to walk off the job.
Tourism authorities estimate that more than 15 million tourists will visit Paris and its surrounding areas for the Olympics. The French capital has ambitious plans to stage the greenest Olympic and Paralympic Games in history, hosting sporting events around landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the River Seine.
However, some polls suggest that French citizens are more skeptical, with growing concerns about disrupted public transport, increased traffic, disruption from public works projects and prices.
On Thursday, Sophie Binet, head of the CGT salaried workers' union, said her union would go on strike if the government did not prepare for the Olympics “from a social perspective”, including benefits for workers. Ta.
As recently as January, government workers organized a protest outside the office of Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, demanding bonuses and other compensation for organizing the Olympics. According to French newspaper Le Monde, some held placards and shouted, “Without us, the Olympics will not take place.”
That same month, Le Parisien newspaper reported that around 200 police officers drove through Paris on buses to demand that the government guarantee them bonuses and compensation for lost work during the Olympics.
Relations between the government and various labor unions have become particularly strained in recent years. In 2024 alone, farmers disrupted public events, erected barricades, and drove tractors into Paris to demand more protection for the agricultural sector. Last month, the Eiffel Tower was closed for several days after workers went on strike demanding higher wages and changes in the management of the monument.
Guerrini said Saturday that plans are in place to address government officials' “legitimate” concerns. He said the government would give tournament officials 500 euros ($550), 1,000 euros ($1,094) or 1,500 euros depending on their level of involvement. He said this could apply not only to security personnel, but also to consular staff responsible for processing visa applications for people coming to the Games.
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin previously announced: Police officers involved in the tournament You are eligible to receive a bonus of up to 1,900 euros ($2,080).
Guerini said the government would also provide support to the families of civil servants who may be forced to work long hours during the Olympics. Measures include paying an additional fee of up to 350 euros (approximately 38,400 yen) per child and opening up places at daycare centers and holiday camps.
The Olympics are usually held in July and August, a sacred time for French families to take vacations, so government workers who have to work during that time can also take vacation on another day. said Guerrini.
The government plans to discuss the measure with trade unions representing government employees on Tuesday. “The whole country wants there to be no strikes for the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Guerrini said.
