French pension reforms set to spark strikes

Sweeping plans to replace 42 public pension schemes with a single, universal points-based pension system were revealed in July.

If approved, the reforms will be rolled out from 2025.

They would mean anyone who retires before the age of 62 would, based on their contributions, receive a lower pension.

Under the scheme, which will not be debated in parliament until next spring, the more people pay in, the more they will get out.

The Universal System would be introduced progressively in 2025 and would not take total effect until 2040. Anyone born before 1963 will not be affected.

The main unions say their calculations show the reforms will lead to a reduction in the value of pensions. The CGT said there will be a drop of 10% to 30% and it wants to see the pension age lowered to 60.

The biggest outcry so far has been from professions covered by so-called régimes spéciaux, which have scuppered previous efforts to reform the unwieldy system.

These are a set of schemes attached to public-funded organisations or industries, including the civil servants, EDF, GDF, RATP, SNCF, and smaller groups such as Banque de France, lawyers and MPs.

They have pension schemes that are often more favourable than private-sector ones.

For RATP workers the average age of retirement is 55, for SNCF train drivers it is 50 to 52, and SNCF pensions are based on 75% of salary received for the last six months at work.

In the private sector, pensions are calculated on an average of the last 25 years.

Already the proposals have seen the biggest walkout of RATP Paris public transport workers since 2007.

Lawyers walked out on a strike day, and doctors, medical staff, pilots and air hostesses, and the CGT and FO unions staged protests in September.

It is likely more protests will follow during the government’s consultation period with unions and professional organisations, which lasts until December.

The government is also proposing public consultations and is setting up an online platform for comments from the public and meetings across France.