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WISP : French Riots in 2005 & 2006Stefhani Quek

Ng Sheng Nian

Ong Zhan Yi

Beata Liew

French Riots 2005

Trigger of the riot.

On 27 October 2005, 10 high school students were playing soccer in the suburbs of Clichy-sous-Bois, paris.

When the police came to perform identification checks on them, they ran and went under cover due to the fact that some of them did not have any form of identification.

Three of the students took cover in a electrical transformer building of EDF and were electrocuted.

It resulted in two deaths, Ziad Benn who was 17 and Banou Traoré who was 15. The third student, Metin who was 21, was seriously injured.

What happened in the riots

Two days later on Saturday, 1000 people conduct a march that was planned by religious associations and mosques in Clichy-sous-Bois. The people wore shirts and carried slogans such as “ mort pour rien” which means dead for nothing.

The rioting turn for the worse on Sunday when the police teargassed the women’s prayer room at de Bousquets Mosque, and even taunt the women as they waver out of the mosque.

The outrage spread through Paris, and by Tuesday night, November 1st, nine other Parisian suburbs were in chaos.

Discrimination in case.

People who are associated with African or Arabic names are severely discriminated.

An example would be job discrimination. The unemployment rate of the foreigners is 14% as compared to the unemployment rate of 9% for people of French roots.

Clichy-sous-Bois is the suburbs that house the immigrant populations

Discriminations in case.

Minister Sarkozy handled the situation of the racial riots with a “ zero tolerance” policy and even classify the suburban youths as “ scums” and also, to “ clean out” the troubled suburbs

Even within the government, racial discriminations against the immigrants is present.

French Riot 2006Moving on to 2006, France faces a new challenge. Age discrimination.

Situation in France

Law made it difficult and expensive to fire people

People reluctant to hire

2005 civil unrest Unemployment rate

of 25% Up to 50% in poorer

areas

contrat première embauche

Probation of 2 years

Allows company to fire people under 26 without reason

Aimed at improving employment of those under 26 by decreasing reluctantancy caused by previous laws

Adverse Effects

Youths view it as disadvantages to them in their future job prospects

Went on strike and demonstration

Universities have to close due to the unrest; delayed exams

Response

Probation now 1 year

Requires reason of dismissal

Eventually substituted

What about Singapore in 2009?

Main cause of riots.

2005 Riots

Due to racial discrimination

2006 Riots

Due to age discrimination

How about Singapore?

Currently, Singapore is shifting to be a cosmopolitan nation. Out of every four people here, there is 1 foreigner. In the future, the ratio would be 1 : 1, local : foreigners.

Hiring practices must be fair, however this is a not the case. In this article, Indian, Malay job seekers complain of discrimination in Singapore due to unfair hiring practices.

How about Singapore?

In addition, the main reason that may give rise to social division is the influx of foreigners. The future hope of the nation depends on the young generation, who will rise up to take over the leadership of the nation.

What are their views now? Refer to this article, “Warning signs of unhappy sentiments against foreigners”. This article explains that even though it is a inter-school competition, there was heat rising up because it is basically Singaporeans against PRCs.

Prevention of Singapore 2061 ?

Prevention of Singapore 2061?

Singapore government has a huge part to play in maintaining social stability, with well form-ed policies and strict laws. The social peace we’re enjoying now will be here for decades to come.

In 2061, the government should integrate a policy that requires companies to have a percentage of natural Singaporeans working within their company. Say a MNC located in Singapore, should have at least 30% Singaporeans in it. This will give Singaporeans a higher chance in securing jobs.

Prevention of Singapore 2061

The problems we will face if we implement such policies is that the workforce will become incompetent; Singaporeans may get complacent as a job is always there for them and so there may be a lack of quality workforce for the companies.

The government should also do that same for schools and housing estates. The future of Singapore is dependent on the youths.

With careful planning and integration of races, young Singaporeans can grow up befriending people of different race and also to learn and accept them.

Problems to face?

There may be cultural differences between the races, a Singaporean whom has little understanding of a different culture may accidentally offend the other races.

There may be language barriers. The minority race can also be out casted in school or living environment.

The government can also step up its’ laws on race discrimination, enforcing harsher punishments.

Credits

http://www.indymedia.org/en/2005/11/827280.shtml

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4375910.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4399748.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4816306.stm

http://www.singapore-window.org/sw05/050809ht.htm)

http://kentridgecommon.com/?p=3751)