Unions to protest at pension reforms

Unions have called for a ‘day of action’ on May 22 to protest at government plans to lengthen the period people pay into their state pensions.

Reforms put forward by Minister for Work Xavier Bertrand include extending the number of years workers must pay cotisations pension payments from 40 to 41 between 2009 and 2012.

Five of France’s biggest unions have released a joint statement criticising the government for failing to take into account the difficulty of certain jobs and refusing to guarantee the right to retire at 60.

CGT union federation secretary Jean-Christophe Le Duigou said it was up to members in different departments how to mark the day but added that ‘action’ could include strikes.

The unions have called on civil servants, individuals, students and pensioners to take part.

The biggest civil service union FSU, which did not join the union meeting said it will take part.

Photo: Tendencies