Decrease in purchasing power: what the Narbonnais think

"Luckily we have the market"

Laurent, 61 years old: "I am retired, my income has dropped and it is not ready to increase! Luckily we have the market where the prices are relatively affordable for fruits and vegetables... but it's only once a week. I'm not complaining because I don't need to cut corners on necessary expenses such as heating. But when I fill up with fuel oil, it costs me €500 more than in previous years! Not to mention petrol... I'm lucky because I live in Narbonne and I can get around on foot. I think one of the solutions would be to consume less and more responsibly, not to take the car when possible... As for the demonstrators, I wholeheartedly agree with them!" .

Also read: Narbonne: 350 protesters in the street for purchasing power and wages

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— elizabeth foss Wed Jul 28 03:04:25 +0000 2010

Also read: Narbonne: those accompanying disabled students at the head of the demo for purchasing power

"Pleasures are set aside"

Caroline, 54: "Apart from food and bills to pay, I save on clothing, pleasures are put aside and perfume, we forget! Because once we've paid for everything, it's There is only enough left to eat, so I prefer to please my daughter. Wages should increase and follow the cost of living... especially when you see a kilo of tomatoes at €3.80! In the past, for 100 francs , we were shopping for 3 days. Today, with 15 € we have nothing".

"How are we going to end our days?"

Muriel, 57, and Fabienne, 55 (unemployed restaurateur and house painter): "Purchasing power, c disaster! We are afraid for our children and our grandchildren. And how are we going to end our days? It is difficult to pay the bills and to eat... yet we have an income. We have diminished the budget for outings, restaurants, clothing and gasoline. Including for food, we look closely at the prices and we favor promotions. We have always worked, but for 2 to 3 years it has been problematic We know a gentleman who rummages through the garbage cans at night, but he is not homeless. It hurts the heart to see people who have no food. And even if we want to give, we have to badly because it is also difficult for us".

"From the youngest to the oldest... all involved"

Inès, 22, and Fatima, 40, market traders: "Our customers only eat not much at the moment! They don't buy anything anymore! From the youngest to the oldest, they are all affected by the drop in purchasing power. We have not increased our prices, we have even lowered them a little. But that does not change anything. Since the coronavirus, and especially since this month of September when everything is increasing, we can feel the difference. To help the inhabitants, the town hall could provide free parking on market day.

"This situation could aggravate delinquency"

Sandy, 28, mother of two children: "We work to pay the bills and practically not for our pleasures. Outings for four with the children, parks, shopping... are becoming more difficult. Fee-paying activities are reduced, outings in nature are preferred, we treat ourselves to a coffee or a pancake... less expensive pleasures. Personally, I don't have the It's time to go demonstrate, but I think we need more people in the streets. We have to get back to a balance between prices and income, otherwise I don't know how we'll manage to live! I think this situation could aggravate delinquency: young people will be fed up with not finding a job and not getting by... this can push some people to the limit and to theft Money does not buy happiness, but we feel better when you have it".