France is on strike: Everything has hit the “brake” because of the pension

The company is on strike France today Thursday (19/1) due to the pension. THE strike action it is particularly noticeable in the fields of transport and education. Most trains have not left the railway stations, the subway trains are running very little and the vast majority of schools are closed.

Most French people will not go to work today, either because they are on strike or because they will be working remotely, as they learned during the coronavirus period.

The success of today’s strike is, however, considered a given, since it is the first time after 12 years that all labor unions have agreed on a common goal. In this case, the cancellation of the gradual increase in the retirement age from 62 years, which is more or less today, to 64. However, much will also be determined by the participation of workers in the strike demonstrations, which, as is known, forced the then government of France to withdraw its pension plans.

Analysts generally agree that, if the protesters exceed one million in the whole of French territory, it will be a strong message to President Macronwho, however, appears absolutely determined to implement the reform, arguing that the number of pensioners is constantly increasing in relation to the economically active population and that, if this continues, the pension funds, which are numerous in France, will find themselves at a dead end.

The French President Emmanuel Macron he hopes that together with the party of the traditional French center-right, the Republicans, he will manage to form a parliamentary majority in favor of the pension reform. However, if this goal is not achieved, he will probably make use of his constitutional right to legislate himself.

Raising the pension threshold by two years and extending the contribution period would yield another €17.7 billion in annual pension contributions, allowing the system to break even by 2027, according to Commerce Department estimates.

Unions argue that there are other ways to secure the pension system such as taxing the very rich or increasing employer contributions or those of wealthy pensioners.

Unions have labeled today as a starting point with more strikes and demonstrations to follow.

“What no one can know, and even the unions don’t know, is whether the French people are angry enough to … blockade the country,” says Sciences Po professor Bruno Pallier.

The reform plan will be submitted for a vote in parliament, where Macron has lost an absolute majority but is hoping for a vote with the support of conservatives.

Public transport was very disrupted today and problems are also observed on the high-speed TGV lines.

In addition, there are little or no local or regional train services, according to French railways operator SNCF.

About seven out of ten primary school teachers in the country have said they will strike, according to their union.

Strikes are also planned in the electricity sector.

Power was cut at eight nuclear reactors and some hydroelectric plants due to the strike, according to French electricity utility EDF.

TotalEnergies chief Patrick Pouyan said a day of strikes and demonstrations would not disrupt refinery operations, but that could change if the strikes continue.

Around 20% of flights from Paris’ Orly airport are being canceled and airlines are warning of delays.

Even high school student associations are expected to participate in the protests, blocking access to some schools.

However, Macron and many of his ministers will be in Barcelona today for a meeting with the Spanish government.