French Video Game Industry Holds First-Ever Nationwide Strike
Workers across the sector protest layoffs, poor conditions, and lack of transparency in a historically ununionized industry.
- The Syndicat des Travailleurs du Jeu Vidéo (STJV) organized the strike, with demonstrations in cities like Paris, Bordeaux, and Rennes.
- Key demands include halting layoffs, improving working conditions, and increasing transparency in company decision-making.
- The industry, employing 12,000-15,000 in France, is facing a downturn after pandemic-era growth, with layoffs and studio closures becoming more frequent.
- Workers highlight issues such as burnout, toxic workplace cultures, and a lack of employee input on major project decisions.
- The STJV has seen significant growth since its founding in 2017, reflecting increasing dissatisfaction among workers in the sector.