Social workers in French Polynesia have gone on strike after last-ditch negotiations with the solidarity minister, Patricia Jennings, failed.
The workers have now taken to the streets to demand that an extra 51 social work jobs be created to fight the social ills in Tahiti.
They say they are not seeking better pay or shorter working hours but want more people to cope with problems such as an increase of violence, drug abuse and prostitution.
One of the strikers, who have begun a sit-in outside the presidential palace, says their caseload is twice of what it is in mainland France.
