You would have to work for 43 years to get a full pension. The initiative is being considered by the French Parliament.
14:56•Updated 15:00
In France, there are strikes today on a wide front in protest against the president Emmanuel Macron to the administration’s plan to raise the retirement age.
Due to the day’s strike declared by various trade unions, most of the trains are not running and many schools and public services are closed today.
The unpopular legal initiative under consideration by the Parliament would raise the official retirement age in France from 62 to 64. One would have to work for 43 years to receive a full pension instead of the current 42 years.
The nationwide strike and protests are a major test of Macron’s reform agenda. According to Macron, raising the retirement age is necessary to secure the French pension system.
New strikes and protests to come
The challenge for trade unions in France is to turn the unpopularity of the pension reform and the dissatisfaction caused by the rising cost of living into mass protests that would force the government to change its plans.
According to a recent opinion poll, 68 percent of French people oppose raising the retirement age.
Protests are scheduled to be held across France today.
Today’s protests are just the beginning, as unions are expected to announce new strikes and demonstrations in the evening.
According to the French government, the system threatens to collapse even in the next few years if the retirement age is not raised.
According to the trade unions, the system can be secured by means other than raising the retirement age.
Macron’s administration does not have a majority in parliament. The government needs support from conservative representatives behind raising the retirement age.
Reuters