Tons of rubbish is piling up in Paris as the pensions strike continues, and an infestation of rats is feared

Tons of rubbish and stinking rubbish have piled up in the streets of Paris as sanitation workers continue their strike against pension reform, BBC mentioned. Notably, the city’s garbage collectors have been on strike since March 6 over President Emmanuel Macron’s proposals to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.

In photos and videos shared on social media, bags of rubbish can be seen piling up on the city’s usually scenic streets, forming rubbish piles. As of Monday, more than 5,600 tons of rubbish have accumulated on the city’s roads. Three waste treatment sites are closed and a fourth is partially closed.

Watch the videos here:

Yesterday marked the seventh consecutive day of strikes by Parisian waste collectors against Brice. Macron’s pension reforms. More than 5,400 metric tons of rubbish has accumulated in the streets of Paris. Life Rosary!pic.twitter.com/WkRJgoqpW6

– Steve Hanke (@steve_hanke) March 13, 2023

Garbage pickers’ strike – is this Paris? pic.twitter.com/AoaNiKBxRD

Mandakini narain (mandakinarain) March 13, 2023

🇫🇷 Trash in the streets of Paris due to the indefinite general strike. pic.twitter.com/gh12hpLrzp

– Truthseeker (@Xx17965797N) March 14, 2023

The accumulation of rubbish in Paris has now sparked health concerns among Parisians, with many fearing an invasion of rats is imminent. A Parisian complained on French radio: “It’s filthy, it attracts rats and cockroaches.”

“The strike has triggered a change in the behavior of the rats. They will scavenge in bins, breed there, and leave their own urine and excrement. We have worrying health risks for waste collectors and the general population.” Specialist Romain Lasur told Le Parisien newspaper.

Here are some other pictures:

Welcome to Paris 🗼😊 pic.twitter.com/1JvNwqblen

– Tayo Aina (@tayoainafilms) March 11, 2023

This is where I will be giving my talk this evening. Maison de la Recherche MustafaHosny Oh God, Amen
Piles of rubbish caused by a strike to protest pension reforms. pic.twitter.com/LDWGFjLZMG

Elisabeth Beck in The Netherlands (MicrobiomDigest) March 13, 2023

The garbage men in Paris have been on strike for 4 days and now every street corner looks like this 😵‍💫 pic.twitter.com/S29ZvhyBsI

– †. (Tianabaaaby) March 10, 2023

Not only was the strike limited to Paris, cities such as Rennes, Le Havre, Nantes and Rennes were also affected.

The reform will raise the retirement age for garbage collectors. They are currently retiring at the age of 57 due to difficult working conditions and under repairs they will have to work for another two years.

According to Le Parisien daily, the strike will continue at least until Wednesday, when trade union representatives are set to vote on whether to continue the strike.