Posted on 12/08/2019 5:54:53 AM PST by gattaca
President Macron is pushing for a single, points-based system.
At the moment, there are 42 different pension plans that vary according to profession and region, meaning some workers are entitled to a full pension before the general minimum retirement age of 62. The new system would mean that pensioners that contributed the same amount would have equal rights.
France sees biggest strike in decades as workers protest pension reforms France is experiencing one of its biggest strikes in decades as public sector workers protest against changes to the pension system.
The main impact of the strike is being felt on the transport networks and schools. The French national rail company, SNCF, canceled 90% of its trains on Thursday; the Parisian metro closed 11 out of its 16 lines; and the Eurostar is operating with a reduced timetable. France’s education ministry expects 55% of its teaching staff to go on strike nationwide.
There are also about 250 official demonstrations scheduled across the country. According to the French newspaper, Le Monde, more than 180 000 people are taking to the streets in 30 different parts of France.
Many of the main train stations, which usually see big crowds early morning, were empty. Workers either decided to stay at home or use alternative ways of transport. The Eiffel Tower and the Orsay Museum — two of the biggest Parisian landmarks — were shut because of staff shortages, according to the French agency AFP.
GS - FRANCE strike Dec 5, 2019 A picture taken on December 5, 2019 shows a view of the Gare du Nord in Paris during a strike of Paris public transports operator RATP employees over French government’s plan to overhaul the country’s retirement system, in Paris, as part of a national general strike.
Why are they striking? Prior to his election in 2017, President Emmanuel Macron vowed to reform France’s pension system. He believes the current arrangement is unfair, complex and costly. According to OECD data, France’s retirement system is one of the most expensive in the world, costing the government 14% of the country’s GDP (gross domestic product).
Macron is now pushing for a single, points-based system. At the moment, there are 42 different pension plans that vary according to profession and region, meaning some workers are entitled to a full pension before the general minimum retirement age of 62. The new system would mean that pensioners that contributed the same amount would have equal rights.
Tomasz Michalski, professor of economics at HEC Paris business school, told CNBC Thursday that for every 10 euros that a worker earns in income, that person will get one point under the new system. “But how will these points be translated into benefits?,” Michalski wondered.
The full details of Macron’s reforms have not yet been officially put to Parliament. Thursday’s strike is pre-emptive action and does not have an end date, meaning it could last for some time. Philippe Martinez, leader of French trade union the CGT, told reporters that the strike will not end this evening.
French commuters brace for widespread delays amid strike action
Previous attempts to change the pension system have also been met with strong opposition from public sector workers. In 1995, President Jacques Chirac ended up caving into union demands after his pension reform plans faced weeks of demonstrations.
Who are the winners and losers? However, not every worker is unhappy about the expected pension reform.
Michalski, who’s based in Paris, said that Macron’s base, those with high-paying jobs, and also people that enter and leave the workforce often will be the “winners” of a point-based system.
However, transport workers argue that the new system would mean they would have to work longer into old age or see their pension reduced.
It is yet unclear how Macron might react to the strike action. Public support seems to be behind the strikers rather than the government — one opinion poll predicted 69% of the public supported the demonstrations, according to the BBC.
GS - France strike A demonstrator holds a sign reading “I want my retirement before arthritis” during a demonstration to protest against the pension overhauls, in Paris, on December 5, 2019, as part of a national general strike. ALAIN JOCARD | AFP | Getty Images However, Michalski from HEC business school said: “If you are working from home with your kids (because transport is limited and schools are closed), you will be angry.”
In a research note, Antonio Barroso, deputy director of the research firm Teneo, said: “Given Macron’s track-record, his strategy in the coming weeks is likely to be a combination of attrition with certain flexibility concerning the proposed policy changes.
“The government will most likely also continue to portray the demonstrations as an attempt by vested interests to preserve the inequalities created by the current pension system,” Barroso added.
About a year ago, France was embroiled in protests. The so-called “Yellow Vests” movement took to the streets to protest against planned diesel taxes — their demonstrations lasted for several months.
Things are running so smoothly under Macron, good thing they didn’t elect LePen.
I was in Paris 2 years ago during the Air France strike and swore I would never return to France.
The entire country is one big Union.
This is not going to go well for France as tourists remember
Note to the UK: Brexit faster.
The last nation in the EU with any money will be stuck with the bill.
They traded individual self-determinism for state dependence. Makes me ill.
... Note to the UK: Brexit faster.
...The last nation in the EU with any money will be stuck with the bill.
Understand, but don’t believe the USA is any better
We are horribly in debt,
squandering the futures of our children and grandchildren
It will not take long for the Banks to own everything
While we has sold our heritage for a pot of stew
Then why not simply use the # of euros earned? SMH
That money is called Danegeld, a term coined almost exactly 1000 years ago. Rudyard Kipling wrote a poem about it in the 1800s. Leftists worldwide still have yet to figure it out, despite the very clear instructions in that poem... it ends with:
"So when you are requested to pay up or be molested,
You will find it better policy to say: –
"We never pay any-one Dane-geld,
No matter how trifling the cost;
For the end of that game is oppression and shame,
And the nation that plays it is lost!"
We pay people here not to riot. France does the same but wanted to skip a few payments. Can we stop welfare?
We saw the fantastic advantages of socialism play out in Venezuela, and now another fine example is being set in France...
“Note to the UK: Brexit faster.”
YES, the faster the better for our past friends the Brit’s.
Just in time for Christmas.
Headline: “France hit by nationwide strikes.”
Or as its otherwise known, Thursday.
Good. Screw France.
In case anyone is interested, I have a French rifle for sale, never fired and only dropped twice!
France has been prone since 1870.
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