Leading French unions are calling for a day of strike on 7 September in protest against the proposed reforms to pensions. Although it is planned for jut the one day, some unions may continue their protest beyond this day.
The strikes are aimed at the pension reforms being planned. The current retirement age may be raised to 62 from 2018 and contributions could be increased in an effort to clear the huge €32 billion pension’s black hole.
There are also plans to change the very favourable civil service pensions and bring them more in to line with private pensions.
This debate has been rumbling on for a while and is set to continue to do so. At the moment the unions show no sign of compromise and are insisting that the retirement age remains at 60 and civil service pensions must be left alone. The government seems equally unwilling to move. A winter of discontent in France?
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