After days of strikes and protests, the French government has presented its comprehensive pension reform. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said in Paris that 42 pension schemes in France would be replaced by a single system. In addition, privileges would be abolished for many industries. However, the reform should affect fewer people than feared by the unions. Philippe therefore called for an end to the strikes.
In addition, there should be exceptions: firefighters, soldiers and members of the security forces may continue to retire earlier.
"We propose a new intergenerational pact," said the head of the government in his speech. The aim is a "fair and lasting" pension system, in which no more would prefer some at the expense of all. Specifically, there should be a universal points system for all, special pensions in the train or the Paris public transport companies are abolished.
"We will encourage the population to work longer through a rebate and bonus system," the PM said. Anyone who has worked all his life should receive at least € 1,000 a month in pensions. "The women will become the big winners of the unified system."
Retirement age is not touched - but it threatens deductions
Philippe also confirmed that the reform should not apply to Frenchmen born before 1975. This means fewer people are affected by the plans than initially accepted by the unions. The statutory retirement age of 62 years does not affect the government. However, everyone who wants to retire before the age of 64 must expect deductions in the future.
The pension reform is a key campaign promises of President Emmanuel Macron and should reduce the billion dollar deficit in the pension funds. Several unions have already announced a continuation of the protests if the government does not completely withdraw their plans.
For example, the largest French trade union federation, CFDT, said that the government is overriding a "red line" by motivating people to postpone their retirement. CGT leader Philippe Martinez called the reform plans a "joke". The government is "ridiculing all those who protest today," Martinez said.