FRENCH PRESIDENT REWARDS FRONTLINE WORKERS WITH €8BILLION

French medics haul a coronavirus patient onto a waiting helicopter ambulance

French President Emmanuel Macron has promised to gift a whooping €8bn (£7.2bn) to frontline workers as a bonus for their endless efforts in their fight against coronavirus.

This comes after several health workers held protests and demonstrations demanding for pay rises and better funding for hospitals.

Health workers in France protest on the streets demanding for pay rise and better funding for hospitals

In many countries, health workers have been referred to as heroes for being in the frontline to curb the pandemic.

In France, people across the country are clapping for them from their windows and balconies at 8 p.m. every evening during the country's lockdown.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex and union leaders signed the agreement, which the former hailed as a “historic moment for our health system”.

Castex says, “This is first of all recognition of those who have been on the front line in the fight against this epidemic,”.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex appreciates the efforts of health workers for being in the frontline to fight COVID-19 in France.

“It is also a way of catching up for years of delay, for which each and everyone – including perhaps myself – has their share of responsibility.” He added

This deal took place on Monday after seven weeks of troubled negotiations.

The announcement and signing ceremony fell on the eve of Bastille Day, during which a parade will be held on Place de la Concorde in the capital Paris.

Over 1,400 nurses, doctors and carers will watch on as the guests of honour.

The wages of health workers will rise by €183 a month on average according to the governments’ agreement.

French President Emmanuel Macron unveils billions for frontline workers

It set out €7.5 billion for nurses, care workers and non-medical staff with some more €450m that has been reserved for doctors who work exclusively in the public sector.

A few weeks ago, more than a dozen health unions and organizations called on the government to drop “ministerial platitudes” and to set up forthcoming talks for a pay rise in 2021/22 during the eve of the NHS’s 72nd anniversary.

Health secretary Matt Hancock refused to promise to increase NHS staff salaries but instead said health workers would be “rewarded”. This is after Sky News requested him to commit to his statement.

France still remains one of the worst-hit countries in Europe with more than 200,000 infections and 30,000 deaths.