65 pct French employers support Yellow Vests: Survey

By Jeyhun Aliyev

ANKARA

A survey conducted in France revealed that 65 percent employers support the Yellow Vest protests, a French radio reported Wednesday.

The "Opinionway" research company in a survey conducted for Europe 1 radio revealed that 72 percent of business owners were not happy with French President Emmanuel Macron’s policies.

This was in stark contrast to May 2017 when Macron took office; 75 percent of top company executives were satisfied with his approach.

Also, 70 percent employers said the protests had seriously affected the economy of the companies, the survey added.

Some 47 percent employers thought the French economy had deteriorated, while 8 percent thought it had gotten better.

Some 28 percent employers said they faced roadblocks during demonstrations.

The survey was conducted from Dec. 6-12 with the participation of 604 employers.

Since Nov. 17, thousands of protesters wearing bright yellow vests have gathered in major French cities, including the capital Paris, to protest Macron's controversial fuel tax hikes and the deteriorating economic situation.

The demonstrators, who generally live in rural areas due to high rents in the cities, have called on Macron to cut fuel taxes and ease their economic difficulties.

During demonstrations, at least four people have been killed and more than a thousand others wounded.

Under pressure from the protests, Macron announced a raise in the minimum wage and also scuttled controversial fuel tax hikes.