41 years’ work for full pension

Work Minister Xavier Bertrand (pictured) will today present to union leaders plans to lengthen costisations payments from 40 to 41 years if workers want to get a full pension.

All unions are opposed to the move which Mr Bertrand says are needed because of increased life expectancy in France.

There will be demonstrations across France on May 1 in protest at the changes, which will come into force from 2012.

Plans to overhaul the pension system, a central plank of Nicolas Sarkozy’s election agenda last year, have come against fierce opposition.

A poll conducted by CSA for Le Parisien found that a majority of those asked opposed the changes.

The poll found that 48% opposed, with 46% in favour of the move.

A higher percentage of older people objected – with 54% of those aged between 41 and 49 and 51% of those aged 50 to 64 saying they did not back the plans.

The difference was much more marked in the public sector, with 66% of fonctionnaires - civil servants – objecting.

Photo: Simon Kirby