France: the executive relaunches the pension reform project and tenses the unions
Labor Minister Olivier Dussopt alongside Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne at the Élysée Palace on July 13, 2022. AFP - LUDOVIC MARIN
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In France, the Ministry of Labor brings together the social partners on Monday around the annoying subject: the pension reform.
After having abandoned the game for the first time at the start of the health crisis, Emmanuel Macron promised, during his campaign, to relaunch a reform project.
In particular, it provided for a postponement of the legal retirement age, even if the executive no longer makes it a “totem”.
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The discussions could block both on the content and on the method.
The extension of the retirement age has long been a point of tension with the unions.
As for the timetable for this reform, several possibilities were mentioned by Olivier Dussopt.
It could happen next spring.
But the Minister of Labor does not rule out including it in the Social Security Finance Bill (PLFSS).
This would leave little time for “consultation” with the social partners.
The bill will be presented next week in the Council of Ministers.
Going through an amendment would only offer a delay of a few weeks, with the text due to arrive in the Assembly on October 20.
This possible formula has drawn the wrath of Laurent Berger, the general secretary of the CFDT.
If the executive chooses this option, he promises to leave the National Council for Refoundation.
“
If there is a passage through the PLFSS, the CFDT, with the other trade union organizations
(…)
we will react together
(…)
We will react by all the means which are those of the trade union movement
”, a-t-t -he says.
Bayrou opposed to a forced passage
François Bayrou, ally of the majority, who orchestrates this forum for discussion, is also reluctant.
“
I am opposed to the passage in force.
If we embark on this path, then we are sure to first coalesce the oppositions between them, then to divide French society
”, warned François Bayrou, calling for taking “
the time for pedagogy
”.
"
A few months should be enough to arrive at a solution
," he said.
“
The President of the Republic has said that he wants the reform for the summer of 2023?
With this method, with preliminary work in common, I am convinced that it can be adopted from the summer of 2023
, ”he insisted.
The deadlines are tightening, but according to the
Journal du Dimanche
, faced with his camp divided on the question, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has still not decided.
► To read also:
Pension reform, a thorny issue for the government of Elisabeth Borne
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