People are protesting against the pension reform that the government is working on. Airports, subways and railways do not work in the country.
A nationwide strike is taking place in France: people oppose the pension reform being developed by the government. This was reported by the RFI on Thursday, December 5th.
“France was called Black Thursday in advance in France on December 5. A nationwide strike was announced against pension reform, which the government is preparing to fulfill the election promise of President Emmanuel Macron”, – the statement said.
The seriousness of this protest is indicated by the fact that traffic on the country’s railways is almost paralyzed. Two thirds of schools are also closed due to the strike. Power engineers, air traffic controllers and hospitals are on strike. Protests are held by police and court staff.
Violations in the operation of bus and railway routes, the cancellation of a third of flights, and the suspension of most of the Paris metro are expected – this is only part of the events that will take place today.
The national railway company SNCF announced that on December 5, traffic on high-speed TGV train lines would be only 10%. Only 20% of express trains will run on regional lines. SNCF Directorate believes that rail traffic will be very difficult until December 12.
Across France, 245 manifestations were announced. In Paris, increased security measures have been introduced.
The reason for the protest is the radical reform of the pension system promised by President Macron. Its essence is the transition from a complex system of 42 different regimes to a universal pension system, starting in 2025. The reform provides for a change in the principle of accrual of pensions and a transition to a system of pension points. If you maintain a retirement age of 62 years (the right to retire) to receive a full pension (without deductions), the French will have to work at least 64 years. This age will increase so that the pension system remains without a deficit. Work on the reform is being completed by the government, which intends to conduct it through parliament in early 2020.
It should be noted that in various categories of workers there are reasons for dissatisfaction with the reform. Thus, transport workers – the main driving force behind the protest – defend their special regime that allows them to retire early.
Recall that the last wave of protests in France took place in mid-September. Doctors, nurses and lawyers expressed dissatisfaction with the planned pension reform, which, they said, would double taxes.