Labor demonstrations took place in several cities today, Saturday, to denounce the controversial pension reform project, for the seventh day of continuous movements since last January against this reform, which President Emmanuel Macron renewed his adherence to.
The demonstrations came after 4 days of demonstrations in which the number of participants reached more than 3 million, according to unions that oppose raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 years.
In contrast to the protest movement last Tuesday, the unions did not call for a general strike this time, but some sectors such as rail transport and energy are experiencing unrest after the strike was extended.
While demonstrations are taking place in the streets of several French cities, the Senate continues to discuss the draft law to reform the retirement system, which the majority of French people oppose, according to opinion polls, considering it "unfair", especially for women and workers in hard jobs.
The move angered the opposition
It is scheduled to end the debate tomorrow, Sunday, after the government resorted to a constitutional article to vote in one sentence on the draft law, a move that angered the leftist opposition.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced his adherence to amending the retirement rules, despite the opposition of the unions, and confirmed that the government would continue to "listen" about this reform, stressing that it was necessary.
Macron said - in a message to the trade unions - that it was necessary to work for a longer period in order to maintain the retirement system in France.
Bloomberg stated that Macron's message came in response to the unions' request to hold a direct meeting with him after last Tuesday's protests, which unions say witnessed the participation of 3 million workers.
One of the pillars of the social model
The retirement age in France is among the lowest among other European countries, and the draft law provides for a gradual increase in the legal retirement age from 62 to 64 years by 3 months annually, starting from the first of September 2023 until 2030.
It also provides for an increase in the required social security contributions period from 42 to 43 years, so that the retiree can receive his full retirement pension, that is, without any deductions.
The government is counting on this amendment to ensure the financing of the social security system, which is one of the pillars of the French social model.
It is expected - according to the government's plan - that the French Parliament, in both chambers, will approve this amendment by March 16.