Strike action over pensions paralyzes cities in France again

Cities across France were again brought to a near standstill on Tuesday in the latest nationwide protest against pension reforms planned by President Emmanuel Macron’s government.

Thousands took to the streets in multiple rallies. The cabinet wants to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. Trade unions and left-wing parties are fiercely opposed.

One politician present was Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the far-left France Unbowed party, who said he was firmly on the side of the workers: “It is a kind of civil uprising of the people who are protesting the fact that they (the government ) want to deprive them of this very simple thing, the right to live a human existence and therefore to stop working after a certain age because the body, the mind, the nerves, everything is worn out.”

Commuters had a rough start to the day, with transportation reduced to minimal maintenance, but polls show that many people oppose the pension reforms and the strike enjoys broad public support.

“I can’t participate in the demonstration, but I fully support them! For all issues, for women, I have heard that it is not equal,” said one man.

One woman added: “I think we are being asked to make an effort and so on, but is the government making an effort? Are they doing the same? I don’t think so, I don’t think so at all.” .”

Those who will be most affected by the changes, namely young people, also joined the strikes in some places.

Unions claim the action has spread to more sectors than ever before. They have promised to continue the protests in the coming weeks.

However, the government insists it will only propose minor changes and that the new retirement age is non-negotiable.