"
The French have to believe in it
," said CFDT general secretary Laurent Berger on Thursday about the protest movement against the pension reform.
“
I say it to the employees, you have to believe that we can make the government back down on this reform, and suddenly we have to mobilize massively on March 7.
(…) We can in the end win our case
, ”he continued, during a press conference at the headquarters of the CFDT in Paris.
Read alsoAt 63.1 years old, the retirement age of private sector employees continued to decline in 2022
The unions committed against the postponement of the legal retirement age from 62 to 64 called for "
bringing the country to a halt
" on March 7.
Laurent Berger hoped that it would be a "
significant day
", dotted with various initiatives, "
open tolls, curtains of shops drawn
", or even in the construction sector, "
no crane in operation
".
Opinion polls show survey after survey a very broad refusal of the reform by the French.
But they are few to believe a possible victory: in an Ifop poll for the JDD published at the end of January, 68% said they were opposed to it, but almost as many (67%) thought that it would be voted on and applied.
Read alsoRetirements: Gabriel Attal evokes the “very great responsibility of senators”
Laurent Berger's press conference followed a round table with intellectuals on the theme of work, unthought of government projects according to the CFDT.
CNRS research director at Sciences-Po, Bruno Palier also invited opponents to project themselves towards victory.
"
We have never had such favorable conditions
" - the unity of the inter-union, a very largely hostile opinion, "
the unpreparedness of the government
" -, "
however, the French think that it will pass
", a- he noted, before launching: “
You absolutely have to believe in it!
»
SEE ALSO
- Pensions: the unions want to put "France on hold" on March 7