Union official killed in Guadeloupe protest

A union representative on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe has been shot dead and three police officers injured after weeks of protest over economic conditions.

Union leaders said the situation was spiralling out of control and politicians are fearful the unrest might spread to mainland France. “Guadeloupe is on fire,” said Elie Domota, the leader of the protest movement.

Officials said Jacques Bino was shot dead after his car was blocked at a barricade set up in Pointe-a-Pitre. Three police officers were hit by gunfire when they tried to reach the scene, said a government official, Hubert Vernet. “[M. Bino] was injured by gunshot and when the security forces tried to help him they were also fired at. Sadly, by the time they had secured the area, he was dead,” he said.

An alliance of about 50 unions and associations known as “Liyannaj Kont Pwofitasyon” (“Stand Up Against Exploitation”), started a general strike last month and are demanding a £180 rise in the monthly minimum wage. Unemployment in Guadeloupe stands at more than 20 per cent.