FRANCE: Commuters prepare for what could be a winter of discontent as government refuses to budge on pension reform

Record ID: 340005

  • Title: FRANCE: Commuters prepare for what could be a winter of discontent as government refuses to budge on pension reform
  • Date: 14th October 2010
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (OCTOBER 12, 2010) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF DEMONSTRATION FROM TOP SHOWING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ON THE STREETS
  • Embargoed: 29th October 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAS50O7BGKTXT1QPSBXO700SA
  • Story Text: Paris entered its second day of transport strikes on Wednesday (October 13), a day after hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in major demonstrations in a show of defiance against the government of French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, which is pushing ahead with plans to raise the retirement age.
    On Wednesday, the number of people striking was up from September strike numbers.
    While commuters were tiring of the strike in the transport system, most said they saw it as a means to a worthwhile end.
    "It's a bit annoying for those who work, the strike in the transport system. But I completely understand their point," said Isma Belmiloud.
    "I am glad they are doing it, I think it is the right thing to do," said another commuter as he got onto a train he had waited 10 minutes for.
    Eric Floresse said the stoppage did disrupt his travel schedule but that it was a necessary suffering.
    "I think the reform is unjust, there are already lots of older people who are unemployed. It will cause more unemployment. I think there are better ways to sort out the social security deficit, it's not the best solution," he said.
    Presisdent Sarkozy is attempting to shake up the pension system, making people work longer for their pensions to curb a ballooning deficit in retirement coffers.
    Despite the high turnout of strikers and protesters, Sarkozy, a dogged conservative who would benefit from getting his flagship reform passed before he takes on the job of G20 president in mid-November, looks unlikely to back down.
    "I don't deny there are people on the streets, who could deny that, but at the same time, what do you do about retirement? Do you reduce French pensions? Do you raise taxes to an unacceptable level to try to balance the system?" Employment Minister, Eric Woerth, said on French radio on Wednesday.
    The reform, which could help safeguard France's cherished AAA credit rating as pension costs soar in the years ahead, has become one of the biggest battles of Sarkozy's presidency. Unions are threatening more open-ended walkouts but Sarkozy's government is vowing not to cave in.
    ENDS.
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