France offers police Olympics bonus of up to 1,900 euros

PARIS : France's interior minister on Tuesday offered police officers bonuses of up to 1,900 euros ($2,050) to work during the 2024 Paris Olympics, according to a letter sent to police and published on X.

The government has been meeting public service unions to try to guarantee cover for the Olympics, which run from July 26 to Aug. 11, the middle of France's holiday season.

"The necessary resources will be made available to ensure that you are fairly remunerated for your commitment and to fund social support measures," Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin wrote.

Police unions have said the government is not taking sufficient account of the sacrifices that thousands of officers will make this summer, including giving up on vacation plans and finding extra childcare.

Some officers, already strained after months of heightened security alerts and other tensions connected to the war in Gaza, have recently staged protests.

Police who agree to take less annual leave during the Games will receive a bonus of 1,000 euros, which can rise to 1,600 euros for those stationed around the Olympic venues.

Officers working in and around Paris, as well as those at border checkpoints and Paris airports, will receive an additional 300 euros.

Darmanin said he wanted "100 per cent mobilisation" during the Olympics, but that he had decided to allow each officer at least 10 days of leave between June and September.

($1 = 0.9242 euros)