29 October, 2010Workers and trade unions in France stage unprecedented series of protest actions against French President Sarkozy's move to increase the retirement age.
FRANCE: French trade unions have held an unprecedented series of protest action against the Government's reforms of the national pension system. Despite massive protest action across the country in recent months, this week both houses of parliament voted to raise the legal minimum retirement age from 60 to 62 years and is expected to become law by mid-November
Starting in June with the participation of 2.5 million people the strikes and protest actions. On September 7 and September 23 around three million people went out to the streets to disagree with the announced reforms. The protest continued on October 28, which included industrial action in crucial areas, such as air traffic control, rail transport, refineries and ports.
The International Metalworkers' Federation sent a message of solidarity support to affiliated French unions on October 27, supporting their actions to defend the retirement age.
"This project to increase to 62 years the lawful age of retirement is unjust and unacceptable. It does not answer the current problems such as unemployment, the degradation of workers' purchasing power, and increasing precariousness and inequalities in employment and society. This plan also does not take account of its painful effects for workers in many metalworking trades," wrote IMF General Secretary Jyrki Raina.
In the letter the IMF expressed its support for the days of action, including on October 28 and November 6.