36 minutes agoThousands French protest high prices, pension reform
Periskopi(4 years ago)
(4 years ago)In some French cities, it has protested rising prices and pension reform planned by President Emmanuel Macron. The protests had called for trade unions. Shares of protests held throughout the country in France focused urban service and schools. Over 200 columns of demonstrators were mobilised throughout the country. [...]
Shares of protests held throughout the country in France focused urban service and schools. Over 200 columns of demonstrators were mobilised throughout the country. Turnout in protests and obstacles from them, however, were cautious. Twenty to 30 per cent of school staff joined the protests, according to union data. While the Education Ministry refers to a quota of eleven per cent participation of education personnel.
The flow of trains within the country was limited, in Paris several trains and suburbs buses circulated less frequently than usual. As long - distance trains circulated according to plan.
Former candidates for president of the leftist populist Jean-Luc Mélenchon participated in the demonstration in Marseilles.
More explosive potential than calls for wage growth have planned pension reforms ] the government will increase the retirement age from 62 currently to 64 or 65. For many people in France this is unacceptable. “We don't want to negotiate pension age”, says the leader of the CGT left union association, Philippe Martinez. French workers don't want to work any longer, he says.
The government camp a day earlier (28.09) had agreed to postpone consultations with representatives of social organisations so that they can submit a bill by winter. The new law will have to go into effect next summer. At issue is that the retirement age limit will increase by four months each year so that retirement age reaches all aged 65 by 2031.
This time no fall protests?
Traditionally in France in the fall after the population returns from summer holidays, protests are held throughout the country for various problems and social discontent. But on Thursday (29.09) there was no mass street protest against President Emmanuel Macron, who was re-elected in summer and the re-formed government. Due to billions of aid and the setting up of an ceiling for the price of inflationary energy in France is currently considerably lower than in other European countries.
Unions and opposition are also divided in their protest against the government. While trade unions demonstrate, the leftist party, the Socialists and ecologists have called for a “Marriage against expensive living and non-aggression in the climate crisis” to take place on 16 October. / DW
