French govt offers 300-euro bonus to protest-weary police

19/12/2018 1:20

        Seeking to soothe police forces demanding improved working conditions, the French government on Tuesday proposed giving 300-euro ($340) bonuses to officers deployed to the aggressive and disruptive protests that started last month. French President Emmanuel Macron committed to the idea of protest duty pay earlier this month. The government's offer came a day after two police unions announced work slowdowns to protest staffing and other budget issues. French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner was to meet with police union representatives later Tuesday. It wasn't clear if the proposed premiums would calm the growing anger in police ranks. "We are not for sale and we can't be bought. It's certainly not with this bonus that the crisis will be resolved," said Yves Lefebvre, of the Unite-SG Police FO union. According to government figures, the bonus will be paid to 111,000 police officers and military personal and will cost 33 million euros ($37.5 million.)