PARIS, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Wednesday that the government was working on an action plan to help local authorities and traders offset their losses caused by rolling "yellow vest" protests, adding the reinforced measures would be announced in next three weeks.
"We have decided to work on a global action plan that will ... take into account the impact of these demonstrations on the cities' budgets and which will also provide necessary security response," Le Maire said.
After he had met with members of Urban France association, which brings together the country's metropolises and big cities, the minister pledged to present the plan to the government "within 15 days to three weeks and be implemented as soon as possible."
Le Maire also recalled a package of measures that the government has already implemented, including social charges exemption, treasury support of merchants whose revenue tumbled due to the social rebellion, in addition to 38 million euros (42.93 million U.S. dollars) allocated to help pay those who can not go to work because of the protests.
"All these measures have already been taken... They can be strengthened. They are available to traders and we will ensure that they are closer to each merchant," he pledged.
Since November 2018, people angry at higher fuel tax and economic reforms, have been in rolling nationwide protests, blocking roads, occupying highway tollbooths.
The last Saturdays have been marked by violent demonstrations, with burning vehicles and clashes with police in cities across France, mainly in the capital.
Paris, the country's top tourist destination, has been in lockdown in recent weekends where shops and restaurants have been forced to shutter on fears of rioting.
In a recent economic outlook, Insee statistics institute expected "yellow vest" movement to take a toll to domestic economy, forecasting slower growth in 2018 at 1.5 percent, down by 2 percentage points from a previous estimate. (1 euro = 1.13 U.S. dollar)
