Gatherings against the pension reform took place in 250 French cities, while in Paris, according to the CGT union, approximately 500,000 people demonstrated.
The representatives of labor unions in France say they are satisfied with today’s general strike, the second after the one that took place on January 19.
The strike, whose demand was the withdrawal of the bill for the reform of the pension systemand the increase in the retirement age to 64 years from 62 which is more or less today, was particularly felt in the sectors of transport, education and in general in the public sector, while the participation of workers in large private enterprises was important.
Mass and numerous were also the gatherings of the strikers throughout the French territory. As announced, rallies against the pension reform took place in 250 French cities, while in Paris, according to the CGT union, approximately 500,000 people.
Only one in three high-speed trains are running and only two driverless metro lines are operating normally in Paris. The CGT union said at least three-quarters of workers had walked out of TotalEnergies’ major refineries and fuel depots, although the company said the number was much lower. Power plants also reported reduced output due to a strike by workers at the main electricity company EDF.
Eight major unions took part in the strike while marches were held across France and about 11,000 police were deployed to cover the protests.
“Mr Macron is certain to lose,” far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon told reporters in Marseille. “Nobody wants his reforms, and as the days go by, the opposition to them grows.”
Macron’s government has said it may tweak some details in the reform, but has refused to budge on the key issue of the pension limit.
France’s retirement age of 62 is the lowest of most other Western European countries. Italy and Germany have moved to raise the retirement age to 67, while the retirement age in Spain is 65 and the UK is 66.
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
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