Seniors march in pensions protest

THOUSANDS of retired people have taken to the streets to call for changes to the way the state pension is calculated.

According to organisers, up to 3,000 people took part in a march yesterday in Paris, 3,000 in Toulouse, 1,500 in Marseille and 1,500 in Bordeaux. Other demonstrations were held in Strasbourg, Nantes, Avignon and Dijon.

Unions say about a third of France's 14 million retired people earn less than €900 a month, below or close to the official poverty line of €817.

The state pension is currently linked to inflation, but unions say above-inflation rises in energy bills, insurance and healthcare mean retired people have less disposable income.

They want every elderly person in France to earn the equivalent of the legal minimum wage - currently €1,056 net per month.
The government is planning a reform of the French retirement system later this year, with a draft law due to be debated in parliament in September.

Work Minister Xavier Darcos has promised new measures between now and 2012 that will see 400,000 of the lowest-earners receive an extra €150 a month.