Jump to content

2019–2020 French pension reform strike

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Metalbanbi (talk | contribs) at 02:02, 20 December 2019. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The 2019 French pension reform plan strike began on 5 December to protest changes to France's pension system proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron.[1][2][3][4][5]

Background

The strikes, led in part by the CGT, began prior to the disclosure of the details of President Emmanuel Macron's plan to merge France’s current 42 different pension schemes into one state-managed system.[6] The French government maintains that merging the variety of profession dependent schemes is crucial to the financial viability of the system. Unions say introducing a single system will mean millions of workers will end up working beyond the legal retirement age of 62 or receiving a far lower pension.[7]

Actions

Strikes began on 5 December as more than 30 unions launched strike actions with the intention to shut down the country and force President Emmanuel Macron to reevaluate his plans for pension reform. Actions resulted in the Eiffel Tower being shut down along with most of the light rail lines in Paris.[8] 6000 police were deployed in Paris alone in anticipation of the protests, particularly around the Élysée Palace which was barricaded.[9]

The protests became violent in the east of Paris where protesters were seen lighting fires and smashing windows.[9][10]

The police reported 65,000 people had demonstrated in Paris, while the CGT labour union suggested 250,000 people had turned out.[11] While across the country the Interior Ministry said more than 800,000 people were protesting the CGT said the figure was 1.5 million.[11]

Strikes and protests continued on 6 December as unions said there would be no let-up. While some schools reopened, almost all high-speed train services were cancelled, most of the Paris metro remained shut down, and hundreds of flights were cancelled.[7]

Transport across the country remained paralysed on 8 December as strikes by state rail company SNCF and Parisian public transport group RATP continued into their fourth day. Unions announced they were planning another large demonstration on 10 December.[12]

On 12 December French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe unveiled the government's proposal for raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 and harmonizing the 42 different retirement schedules.[13] The next day, the CFDT announced that it would be calling for its members to join the demonstrations on 17 December.[14]

Reactions

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe stated that the nationwide strikes would not weaken his resolve to reform the pension system.[15]

See Also

References

  1. ^ "Macron pension reform: Strike continues for second day". BBC.com. BBC. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  2. ^ Amaro, Silvia. "France's worst strike in decades enters a second day". cnbc.com. CNBC. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  3. ^ CHARLTON, Angela. "France on strike: Trains stuck, Versailles shut, unions firm". apnews.com. Ap news. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  4. ^ Said-Moorhouse, Lauren. "France strikes turn violent, as police clash with protesters". cnn.com. CNN. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  5. ^ Bell, Melissa. "France looks to 1995 as it braces for pension reform strikes and protests". cnn.com. CNN. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  6. ^ Nossiter, Adam. "General Strike in France Challenges Macron's Latest Ambition for Change". nytimes.com. NY Times. Retrieved 6 December 2019. The current pension system is one of the world's most protective, for all its flaws. Many French are asking why a plan of uncertain contours and outcomes should be substituted for it.
  7. ^ a b "France faces second day of travel chaos as strikes continue". thegaurdian.com. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  8. ^ Chappell, Bill. "National Strike In France Shuts Down Cities Over Macron's Pension Reform Plans". NPR.org. NPR. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  9. ^ a b Norman, Greg. "Paris travel nightmare enters second day as hundreds of miles of traffic jams reported around French capital". Foxnews.com. Fox News. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  10. ^ Norman, Greg. "Fires erupt in Paris as general strike creates travel nightmare, closing the Eiffel Tower and subway stations". Foxnews.com. Fox News. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  11. ^ a b "Strikes Against Macron's Pension Plans Shut Down Much of France". nytimes.com. NY Times. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  12. ^ "France willing to delay pension reform timing as strikes continue". Reuters. 8 December 2019. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  13. ^ Phillips, Morgan. "France raises retirement age, offers concessions for 'fairer' system as pension-reform protests drag on". foxnews.com. Fox News. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  14. ^ François-Xavier Bourmaud (13 December 2019). "Édouard Philippe se dévoile, les syndicats se braquent". Le Figaro (in French).
  15. ^ "As unions turn the screws, French PM says pension reform unavoidable". Reuters. 6 December 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
Stub icon

This France-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2019–2020_French_pension_reform_strike&oldid=931622502"