French diplomats on global strike

Villepin urged staff to reconsider

French diplomats staged their first-ever strike on Monday in a protest over planned budget cuts.

Some embassasies and consulates were closed, while others offered much-reduced staffing levels and services.

Missions in Italy and Pakistan were badly hit, and Jakarta ambassador Renaud Vignal declared himself on strike while remaining at his desk.

Trades unions are protesting against moves to cut jobs and costs in the diplomatic service.

Employees do not understand how the president and government can proclaim their grand ambitions for France... while the human and financial resources available to the ministry are constantly declining Unions' statement

"In practically all our missions as well as here in the central administration the strike movement has been followed, but to varying degrees," said French Foreign Ministry spokesman Herve Ladsous.

Unions were predicting that up to 40 French missions around the world would be hit by the strike.

A protest rally was due to be held in Paris outside the upper house of parliament, the Senate, where the Foreign Ministry budget was due for discussion.

Union officials say basic requirements including maintenance and allowances are being pared, while Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin embarks on high-profile and expensive foreign trips.

"Employees do not understand how the president of the republic and the government can proclaim their grand ambitions for France on the international scene while at the same time the human and financial resources available to the ministry are constantly declining," the six unions behind the protest said in a statement.

Mr De Villepin last week urged diplomats to call off the strike.

There isn't a kopek at the ministry - half the lifts are out of order because there is no money to mend them Yvan Sergesse UNSA union

He admitted that circumstances were "difficult", but said the strike plans were "no ordinary matter".

The proposed budget for next year envisages a 2% reduction in foreign ministry costs, and a number of job cuts.

In addition to 154 embassies there are 98 consulates, and nearly 500 cultural offices and French-language schools.

"There isn't a kopek at the ministry," said Yvan Sergesse of the UNSA union.

"Half the lifts are out of order because there is no money to mend them. Abroad staff are working up to 14 hours per day."

This is the first time that unions have called on diplomats and embassy staff around the world to strike.

France's foreign ministry network is second in size only to that of the United States employing 9,200 permanent staff and 13,000 local employees around the world..