Paris taxi drivers threaten to disrupt French Open over pay dispute
Striking taxi drivers in Paris have announced that if their demands go unheard, they will block access to the French Open, which begins on Sunday. The drivers are concerned about the threat to their income and have been disrupting traffic in the French capital for five days by blocking roads, using their horns, and flashing car lights.
Emmanuelle Cordier, president of the National Federation of Taxi Drivers, warned on Saturday that if the government fails to respond, the protests will move to the Roland-Garros area. A meeting with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Transport is expected to take place soon.
The taxi drivers oppose new medical transport regulations and competition from ride-hailing apps.
Other cities join the protest
The protest movement is not confined to the capital. Drivers from cities such as Marseille and Perpignan in southern France have also joined the demonstrations, indicating that the issue has nationwide reach.
