December 2019

17Dec

Macron’s ‘Mister Pensions’ resigns amid transparency scandal as strikes continue

As massive strikes over pension reform in France continue for a 12th day – with unions livid, for one, that workers under the revamp would have to work until age 64 to retire without penalty – one key player is already out of a job: The father of the reform, Jean-Paul Delevoye, stepped down Monday under the glare of a transparency scandal. Delevoye, the High Commissioner for Pensions, handed in his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron, who accepted...

December 17, 2019
News, Slider, ,
Read more...
16Dec

French business activity stable in Dec despite pension strike – PMI

French business grew at a steady pace in December despite a nationwide strike against pension reform, although activity in the manufacturing sector came unexpectedly close to stagnating, a survey showed on Monday. Data compiler IHS Markit said that its preliminary monthly purchasing managers index fell marginally to 52.0 from 52.1 in November, in line with economists' expectations in a Reuters poll. Though a three-month low, the result was comfortably above the 50-point level demarcating expansions in activity from contractions....

December 16, 2019
News, Slider, ,
Read more...
13Dec

French union mounts pressure on gov’t with “no Christmas break” strike

The General Confederation of Labor (CGT), France's largest union in the public sector, planned rolling strikes in transport sector during Christmas holidays, mounting pressure on the government to reconsider a pension reform, a union official announced on Thursday. "No Christmas break unless the government comes to its senses," Laurent Brun, head of CGT's railway branch, told France info radio. "The strike continues until we are assured that the current system is maintained and negotiations are underway to improve it," he added. Brun...

December 13, 2019
News, Slider
Read more...
11Dec

French PM warns of long pensions standoff in face of new protests

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe warned ruling party lawmakers Tuesday (Dec 10) to brace for a long battle over the government's pension reforms, as tens of thousands took to the streets to back a transport strike that has caused six days of travel misery. The industrial action, which has paralysed public transport in Paris and severely disrupted national rail services, is the biggest show of union force since President Emmanuel Macron came to power in 2017 vowing to cut...

December 11, 2019
News, Slider, ,
Read more...
10Dec

With France in Uproar Over Pensions, Macron May Need One Early

By Adam Nossiter With his country in turmoil, more chaos looming and no resolution in sight, President Emmanuel Macron of France tried changing the subject. Last Thursday, nearly a million people had taken to the streets to protest his plan to remake France’s uniquely generous pension system. But a day later, Mr. Macron, instead of addressing what was on everyone’s minds — how to get out of the standoff, which has stranded thousands of commuters — delivered a lyrical tribute far...

December 10, 2019
News, OP Ed, Slider,
Read more...
09Dec

France pensions overhaul to go ahead despite huge protests

The French government has vowed to press ahead with its overhaul of the pensions system despite a hardening nationwide strike that will keep transport at a standstill next week amid another round of planned massive street protests. Four days after at least 800,000 people took part in one of the biggest demonstrations of trade union strength in a decade on Thursday, transport remained virtually at a halt over the weekend as the president, Emmanuel Macron, held talks with ministers...

December 9, 2019
News, Slider, , ,
Read more...
06Dec

A Look at France’s Heated Debate Over Pensions

The planned overhaul of the French pensions system aims to streamline a complicated patchwork of provisions, but workers argue it will require them to work longer and will reduce their income. The heated debate over the changes to the retirement system are laid bare in the nationwide strike and protests taking place Thursday. The popular discontent will test the resolve of the government of President Emmanuel Macron, who says it remains determined to pass the reform next year. Here's a look at...

December 6, 2019
News, Slider, ,
Read more...
05Dec

Strike paralyses France as unions protest pension overhaul

A nationwide strike brought much of France to a standstill on Thursday as tens of thousands hit the streets to protest a pension overhaul by President Emmanuel Macron, which unions say will force millions of people to work longer or face curtailed benefits. Read also A Look at France’s Heated Debate Over Pensions Trains, metros and buses, as well as some flights, were cancelled while most schools were closed or only assuring daycare services, forcing many parents to find alternatives...

December 5, 2019
News, Slider, , ,
Read more...
02Dec

French cabinet in Sunday crisis meeting ahead of 5 December strike

The French cabinet has met in a Sunday crisis session convened by Prime Minister Edouard Philippe to discuss tactics in the face of Thursday's nationwide strikes against proposals to reform retirement and pension legislation. With a series of strikes planned in key sectors like transport and teaching, the government has already held a number of meetings to thrash out a common strategy to defend reforms – described as "essential" by President Emmanuel Macron. On Friday, several ministers met to...

December 2, 2019
News, Slider, ,
Read more...

November 2019

29Nov

Pension reform in France ‘a response to gilets jaunes’

Controversial pension reforms in France are a direct result of the gilets jaunes' protests, government spokesperson Sibeth Ndiaye has said, prompting outrage from political opponents on social media "This reform is one of the responses to the gilets jaunes' crisis. It is above all one of the responses to the significant injustices that exist in our country," Ms Ndiaye told Franceinfo. The government's pension reform project is still the subject of consultation between the government, unions and employers, and...

November 29, 2019
News, Slider, ,
Read more...