For 38 days, the movement to fight against the high cost of living has intensified in Martinique. Monday October 7, clashes took place between demonstrators and police on a Lamentin roundabout, near Fort-de-France. The RPPRAC, the movement at the origin of the current demonstrations, is asking large retailers to revise their margins downwards.
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What is the RPPRAC?
The Rally for the Protection of Afro-Caribbean Peoples and Resources is a young movement born last July. At its head, Rodrigue Petitot, nicknamed “the R”, Aude Goussard and Gwladys Roger. On Instagram, the RPPRAC has nearly 15,000 members. Its leaders advocate non-violent actions to denounce the gap in mass distribution prices between France and Martinique.
Prices 40% more expensive in Martinique
On average, according to INSEE, food products are 40% more expensive in Martinique than in France. Even if civil servants of the State and local authorities receive increased remuneration – also called “cost of living bonus” – in compensation, this is not the case for all workers on the island.
“ Retail margins must fall » asks Aude Goussard, one of the RPPRAC figures contacted by RFI. “ Today, a mother raising her children alone must buy her box of 8 steaks for 18 euros in Martinique when the same box costs less than 10 euros in mainland France. “.
Before tackling other inequalities, the question of purchasing power is at the heart of the RPPRAC’s demands. Aude Goussard believes “ that a people who do not have a full belly will not be able to lead other social struggles »
Large distribution in the viewfinder
The RPPRAC accuses large retailers of taking advantage of the largesse of the French State and the local authority. The first says it is ready to lower its VAT, the second agrees to reduce the amount of its dock dues – a tax on products imported by sea – in Martinique.
“ Why are we asking for a national effort – when the French state is over-indebted – to lower taxes? » annoys Aude Goussard. “ Large retailers are like a capricious child who does not want their margins to be touched and prefers to ask for an effort from the community » she continues, before specifying that if taxes are reduced on food, “ they will increase elsewhere “.
The RPPRAC is asking for assurances before December and intends to continue to put pressure on the various stakeholders to force the mass distribution union to take its responsibilities. As of this Tuesday, he is calling for a general mobilization throughout Martinique.
Also readMartinique: “Most of the demonstrators demand state intervention to regulate prices in supermarkets”