The French government on Wednesday ordered essential staff at a refinery in Normandy to return to work as it cracks down on wage strikes in light of the country’s fuel shortage.

Government spokesperson, Oliver Véran said Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne’s order applied to the Port-Jérôme oil refinery, but the compulsory measures could also be applied to the second refinery in Dunkirk.

“The effects of the labour dispute have become intolerable for too many French people,” said Mr Véran, emphasising that people would struggle to travel to work, do their shopping or take their children to school.

About a third of French petrol stations are experiencing fuel shortages after about two weeks of strikes.

Drivers are queuing up or driving to other towns in search of fuel.

Six of the country’s seven refineries were affected by the strikes as the French CGT union was pushing for a 10 per cent wage increase throughout refineries of the Total energy company.

Total is due to hold talks with the unions on Wednesday.

According to Mr Véran, the return of compulsory refinery staff should enable the filling of tanker trucks.

If petrol station supplies are restored, the situation could return to normal within a few days, he said.

The majority of unions involved rejected the strike, another reason why the state was intervening. 

(dpa/NAN)