Maximilien Carlier (in Carvin), edited by Laura Laplaud 09:06, February 07, 2023

For this third day of mobilization against the pension reform, nine demonstrations are planned in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais.

In Valenciennes, Dunkirk or even Lille... How do couples organize themselves on strike days to pound the pavement?

Illustration in a family in Carvin in the Pas-de-Calais.

Third round in the street at the call of the unions against the pension reform.

The police, mobilized everywhere in France, expect around a million demonstrators this Tuesday.

They were 1.3 million according to the authorities, 2.3 million according to the CGT on January 31.

Is mobilization running out of steam?

While waiting to know how many will be hitting the pavement, what is certain is that going on strike has a cost.

It is difficult for a number of French people to lose another day's wages in the midst of a purchasing power crisis.

This is a whole organization that tells Europe 1 this couple met in Carvin in the Pas-de-Calais.

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A day of strike is 1/30th less salary

Daouiya is a part-time teacher, her husband, Erwan works in IT.

These two thirty-somethings are mobilizing, in turn, against the pension reform and this requires a little organization, as Daouiya explains: "If it were not difficult, we would both be on strike today."

"This Tuesday is my turn because I have the most impact as I am a teacher and also because I have a lower salary".

A day of strike is 45 euros less on his payslip, or 1/30th of his salary.

A hundred euros for her husband.

We also have to find a way to look after their two-year-old daughter, underlines Erwan: "The days when my wife works, I'm the one who takes care of the little one. In the other case, if my wife goes on strike, I manage my daughter."

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"Ready to eat pasta until removed"

Will this couple continue to mobilize over time?

On this subject there is disagreement.

"After a while, we may be financially limited," says Erwan.

“I am ready to eat pasta until withdrawal” resumes his wife.

"It's out of the question to lose all that money for nothing".