|
More than 8000 scientists took to the streets of Paris and other cities across France on Wednesday (March 9) to protest against the government's proposed reforms of the science system.
Jacques Fossey, secretary general of the National Union of Scientific Researchers (SNCS), had strong praise for the high turnout among scientists who joined a national strike that paralyzed the French capital.
"The strong turnout will strengthen the position of the scientists in upcoming negotiations," Fossey told The Scientist. "The government can see how much support there is for the proposals of the scientists for reforming France's science system, and we hope they will be more willing to listen to these proposals as a result of these strikes."
Scientists working at universities and in public research organizations such as the Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) and the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) took action against draft legislation unveiled by the Deputy Minister of Research François d'Aubert in January.
At the Sorbonne, hundreds of researchers and laboratory technicians signed an open letter against the "wish of the government to impose a precarious system of public research, based on the exploitation of staff without proper employment rights… and without a long-term vision."
Fossey told The Scientist that scientists are due to meet government officials next week for another round of negotiations. Another demonstration by scientists is planned for next month.
The protests this week are the latest episode in an ongoing dispute between French scientists and their government. At the beginning of the year, the government promised to spend €6 billion (USD $8.05 billion) over 3 years on research, but scientists say part of that will flow into private research and not into public research.
Also, scientists say that 5000 new permanent positions need to be created every year for the next 5 years if France is to meet the European Union's "Lisbon" target of spending 3% of gross domestic product on science. The French government plans to create only 1000 new permanent positions.
Jean Kister, joint secretary general of the National Union of Scientific Research Workers, said that more permanent positions for young scientists in France were particularly urgently needed.
"The government says that it is aware of the problems that young scientists face, but they [ministers] refuse to give concrete figures for how many posts they intend to create for young scientists," Kister told The Scientist.
Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin was quoted in the French media saying he hoped that Wednesday's demonstration would be the last one, adding that an agreement was still far from being reached.
The president of the French Academy of Sciences, Edouard Brézin, who met Raffarin on March 1 is also quoted in Le Monde as saying that he is confident of a quick agreement—but that the government had still not clarified its stance on key issues, such as the employment of young researchers.
References
| 1. | | [http://www.the-scientist.com/news/20050110/02]
|
| | | J. Burgermeister," French scientists plan protest," The Scientist, January 10, 2005.
Return to citation in text:
[1]
|
| |
| 2. | | [http://www.the-scientist.com/news/20041104/02]
|
| | | J. Burgermeister, "French scientists urge reform," The Scientist, November 4, 2004.
Return to citation in text:
[1]
|
| |
| 3. | | [http://www.lemonde.fr/web/recherche_articleweb/1,13-0,36-400852,0.html]
|
| | | "Les chercheurs protestent contre le projet de loi d'orientation de la recherché," Le Monde, March 8, 2005.
Return to citation in text:
[1]
|
| |
|
Register for FREE Online Access
Subscribe to the Magazine