"It's not doable": French plumber reluctant to push retirement age

Record ID: 1707407

  • Title: "It's not doable": French plumber reluctant to push retirement age
  • Date: 18th January 2023
  • Summary: VIROFLAY, FRANCE (JANUARY 13, 2023) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF FRENCH PLUMBER, ROBIN PELTIER, PROGRESSING IN CRAWL SPACE UNDERNEATH CLIENT'S HOUSE TOOL-BAG IN CRAWL SPACE PELTIER WORKING (SOUNDBITE) (French) 58-YEAR-OLD PLUMBER, ROBIN PELTIER, SAYING: "I can't be in this posture all day long. You cannot stay all day long in a crawl space like this one without going out, you have
  • Embargoed: 1st February 2023 11:51
  • Keywords: French plumber Macron pensions pensions reform retirement age
  • Location: VIROFLAY AND BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT, FRANCE
  • City: VIROFLAY AND BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT, FRANCE
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Europe,Budget/Taxation/Revenue,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001337418012023RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Robin Peltier is used to crawl under houses. He's been doing that for the past 40 years since starting as a plumber at the age of 18. Because of the strenuous nature of his job, he was hoping to retire at the age of 60. But new plans by Macron's government to reform France's pensions might mean that he will have to work a year more than previously thought.
    If the reform - one of Macron's main political promises - is adopted by parliament, the French will have to work two years longer, to age 64, before receiving the state pension.
    Public anger has grown over the unpopular reform and unions have called for nationwide strike plans, to kick off on Thursday (January 20).
    Like many other French workers, Peltier says he feels already worn down by his job and the prospect of working an extra year feels unfair.
    Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said that the retirement age will be progressively increased to 64, and starting from 2027 one will need to have worked 43 years to get a full pension.
    The government says this is necessary to balance the accounts.
    Trade unions reject the argument and vow a tough fight on the streets to block the reform, which still needs parliament's approval.
    (Production: Noemie Olive, Lucien Libert)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2023. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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