February 7, 2023
2 mins read

Pension reform plans spark protests in France

Rail traffic was severely disrupted on Tuesday, and two unions representing employees of the French national railway company SNCF said that the strike was to continue on Wednesday….reports Asian Lite news

An estimated 757,000 people took to the streets across France to demand government to drop its proposed pension reforms, the Interior Ministry said on Tuesday.

However, the CGT, France’s largest union, said that the turnout exceeded two million during the third day of the general mobilisation against the pension reform that would raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, Xinhua news agency reported.

Turnout at the previous nationwide demonstration on January 31 was estimated by the Ministry at 1.2 million and by the CGT at 2.8 million.

In Paris, where the Ministry counted 57,000 demonstrators, police forces used tear gas to disperse the crowds that sparked clashes. By 6 p.m. local time, 17 people had been arrested.

Similarly to the previous two general mobilisations, workers from several public sectors went on strike on Tuesday. However, there were fewer strikers among teachers and in the public services than on January 31.

Rail traffic was severely disrupted on Tuesday, and two unions representing employees of the French national railway company SNCF said that the strike was to continue on Wednesday. A third of high-speed TGV trains as well as half of regional and intercity trains are to be cancelled.

The French multinational electricity company EDF said that more than 30 per cent of its employees were on strike at midday on Tuesday, which had greatly affected electricity production by late Tuesday morning.

The mobilisation remained strong in TotalEnergies where, according to the CGT, the strike rate varied between 75 and 100 per cent.

Although deliveries of petrol products from TotalEnergies sites were interrupted, the company’s management said that there was “no lack of fuel” in the group’s service stations.

In a joint statement, eight unions called on “the entire population to demonstrate even more massively on Saturday, February 11, throughout the territory to say no to this reform”.

On Tuesday, the French National Assembly kicked off a debate on the planned pension reform.

On January 10, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne laid out details of the plan, which would progressively raise the legal retirement age by three months a year from 62 to 64 by 2030, and introduce a guaranteed minimum pension.

Starting in 2027, the plan would also require at least 43 years of work to be eligible for a full pension.

ALSO READ: India, EU set up trade and technology council

Previous Story

EU ministers hold talks on green transition, single market

Next Story

India the biggest friend, says Lanka PM

Latest from -Top News

Ould Tah to head AfDB

Tah, a seasoned economist and development financier, will formally assume office on 1 September 2025, taking over from Nigeria’s Dr. Akinwumi Adesina Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania has been elected as the

Big pay bump for SA workers

The landmark move, which follows months of intense negotiations with trade unions, is expected to benefit millions of civil servants across national and provincial departments. South Africa’s government has confirmed a sweeping

Deadly floods ravage Nigeria

Triggered by torrential rains and the collapse of a nearby dam on May 28, 2025, the floods have submerged vast areas, destroyed infrastructure, and displaced thousands of residents. The death toll from

Piyush Goyal Begins Europe Visit

As part of the visit, the minister will meet top leadership of major French companies such as Vicat, Total Energies, L’Oreal, Renault, Valeo, EDF and ATR….reports Asian Lite News Union Minister of

Call to Greylist Pakistan Over Terror Links

Freddy Svane, the former Danish Ambassador to India, said that it is high time for the world to acknowledge that Pakistan remains the epicentre of terrorism in the region….reports Asian Lite News
Go toTop

Don't Miss

RAK Ruler receives Consul-General of France in Dubai

H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member

France going child-free to save planet

World Population Day, which was observed on July 11, serves