An aerial view shows a digger used to break into a post office and rip an ATM from the wall sitting outside the neighborhood of Godissard after unrest triggered by COVID 19 curbs, which have already rocked the nearby island of Guadeloupe, in Fort-De- France, November 27, 2021. Picture taken with a drone. PARIS, Nov 28 Reuters -- France's minister for overseas territories will hold crisis talks on its Caribbean islands from Sunday, as the government trys to defuse tensions after it handled the COVID 19 pandemic there.
A plan for compulsory vaccination for health workers sparked a sentiment among the majority of Black population of Guadeloupe and Martinique of being excluded and marginalized from the mainland, even though the measure had already been introduced on the mainland.
The issue spawned protests and sparked longstanding grievances over living standards and relationship with Paris. Protesters have insisted that they should be allowed to make their own decisions about health treatment.
On Friday, the government put off the requirement for public sector health workers on the two islands be vaccinated, but local officials have demanded more dialogue with the central government.
In Guadeloupe where protests began more than a week ago, there is a historic mistrust of the government's handling of health crises after many people were exposed to toxic pesticides in banana plantations in the 1970s.
The unions in Martinique signed an agreement with local officials and the state on Saturday to begin talks on key issues ranging from health, energy prices, youth and transport.
The recent violence that saw stores looted and police shot at has helped restore some calm.
Lecornu said on Saturday that the government was ready to discuss autonomy for the islands. French Polynesia is autonomous today with its own laws, so the minister is ready to open the debate, the official said.