Diesel rationing in Corsica as oil terminal strike enters eighth day

Corsican residents were queuing up at petrol stations over the weekend to stock up on diesel as strike action brought oil terminals in mainland France to a standstill.

AFP/ ERIC CABANIS

French port workers have blocked oil terminals at Lavera and Fos-sur-Mer to protest the government plans to privatise Mediterranean port facilities.

On Monday, port management and trade-unionists belonging to France's largest trade union CGT met to discuss disagreements. However, no agreement was reached and other oil industry trade unions have threatened to join the strike before 12 October.

Workers are entering their eighth day of protest and about forty boats, mostly tankers, are waiting at sea to refuel or to unload.

The strike action has forced diesel rationing in several Mediterranean ports. Corsican authorities have also started rationing diesel on the Mediterranean island, causing residents to rush to petrol stations to stock up over the weekend. In the face of dwindling stocks, oil companies have also chartered an oil tanker from Sardinia to Corsica.

The strike comes as French workers rallied for a nationial day of protests on Saturday to protest a controversial reform pensions schemes. Marseille dock workers went on a three-day strike to protest the reform, blocking the port over the weekend. Activities have since resumed.