French general strike fails as cabinet adopts pension reform
Ramin Mazaheri
Press TV, Paris
Hundreds of thousands of people protested in Paris in a last-minute attempt to force President Emmanuel Macron to drop his deeply unpopular junking of a cherished and often centuries-old pension system.
Macron’s plan to introduce a radical and unprecedented universal pension scheme provoked the longest labor movement in French history and is still opposed by 70% of France.
But the bill has just been approved by Macron’s cabinet, and now heads to months of debate in a Parliament dominated by Macron, meaning the strike has failed.
Many are being highly critical of the leadership of France’s unions, who put the burden almost entirely on rail workers. Many of them struck for more than seven consecutive weeks, but this is only the 7th day of nationwide strikes and protests.
The only group which may be partially pleased are the Yellow Vests. They refused to allow unions to join them because they viewed unions as part of an inept and corrupt mainstream political system which have repeatedly failed to protect the welfare of the people.
Unions have said that they will continue to protest against the pension overhaul, but in smaller, more sporadic displays of opposition.
The sacrifice of rail workers, and the enormous public support for the strikers and against the pension junking appear to have gone for naught. However, what may most be remembered is the French government’s willful refusal to heed public opinion once again in Europe’s ongoing Age of Austerity.
‘Arab Nelson Mandela’ released after 40 years in France
Israeli fans clash with French supporters at Paris football match
Protests held in Paris against pro-Israel gala organized by far-right figures
Hezbollah attacks Israeli forces after Lebanese homes blown up
World leaders, states hail ICC arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant
MP: US accountable for possible Israeli 'foolishness' to attack Iraq
VIDEO | Israeli policies strangle Palestinian agriculture, economy
Iran's president offers condolences to Pakistan over terrorist attack
Canada’s Yukon town council at standstill over refusing oath to King Charles
Yemen's Houthi calls for jihad to protect Palestine against Israel
VIDEO | Internal rifts within Israel
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
