France has begun using its reserve fuel supply to deal with petrol shortages caused by workers blockading oil refineries over labour reforms. At least six out of the eight refineries in France have either stopped operating or have reduced output due to strikes and blockades.

    The President of the French union of Petroleum Industry (UFIP) Francis Duseux said they had been forced to dip into the country's strategic fuel reserves. "For the past two days, since there have been operational problems at the refineries, blockades of depots, we have been using reserve supplies," Duseaux said. 

    He added "the situation is tense" but attributed it to panic buying. "Demand is so high that we aren't managing to keep up," he said.  He also acknowledged there are about three months of reserves that could be used if needed. 

    France's President Francois Hollande told a cabinet meeting that "everything will be done to ensure the French people and the economy is supplied".

    The government provoked union outrage when it resorted to a constitutional device to force its watered-down labour reforms through parliament without a vote. The government says the reforms, which make it easier for companies to hire and fire staff, are needed to bring down unemployment.

Source : QNA