Demonstrations in France related to the retirement age and the reforms proposed by the government
Demonstrations over France’s pension reform have resulted in more than 400 injuries and more than 400 arrests across the country, according to Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin. Last Thursday, the unions carried out their ninth day of protests in less than two months.
In January 2022, the French government announced a plan to gradually raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2027, through a series of adjustments and reforms to the pension system. This measure has generated criticism and discontent from some unions and worker organizations, who argue that the measure is unfair and that it will penalize low-income workers and those who have had longer and more exhausting work careers.
As a result, some demonstrations and strikes by workers in different sectors, such as public transport and energy, have been held to protest against the measure. The government has defended the reform and argues that it is necessary to guarantee the financial sustainability of the pension system and to adapt to the aging of the population and the increase in life expectancy.
Protests in France related to the retirement age have been going on for a long time. The country has seen several protests and strikes in recent years in relation to the pension system and the retirement age.
In 2019, the French government proposed a pension system reform that sought to unify the 42 existing schemes into a single pension system. The reform also sought to increase the retirement age from 62 to 64 years and change the pension calculation system.
These proposals sparked a series of strikes and demonstrations across the country, especially by public transport workers, who protested against raising the retirement age and the possible loss of benefits and vested rights. The protests also included other workers and citizens who came together to show their discontent with the proposed reform.
Despite the protests, the French government approved the reform in July 2020. However, the implementation of the reform has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and there are still some uncertainties.
