10/12/2019
WHY THE FRENCH HATE MACRON'S PENSIONS REFORM?
It was one of Macron's election promises but have been postponed because of the 'Gilet Jaune' movement: today France is shaken up by the reforms on the pensions.
But what does the reform really consist of?
Macron wants to set up a single points-based pension system in which each day worked earns points for a worker’s future pension benefits. Therefore, there would not be any difference in the pension based on the type of work but on the time one has worked in his/her life.
That would mark a big break from the existing set-up with 42 different sector-specific pension schemes, each with different levels of contributions and benefits. For instance, the public sector would be worse-off. Currently, pension benefits are based on a worker’s 25 highest-earning years in the private sector and the last six months in the public sector- usually, you earn more at the end of your career, hence it was favourable for the public sector.
What is the French opinion upon these reforms?
The president says a points-based system would be fairer and simpler.However, critics say the plan will effectively force millions to work longer or face curtailed benefits. Since the 5th of December, five days of mass strikes by French unions have crippled transportation across the country. Although the new retirement plan will affect all French workers, the strike involves primarily public sector workers, including train drivers, teachers and hospital employees.
Besides, the government says it won't change the official retirement age of 62, but the new plan is expected to include financial conditions to encourage people to work longer as lifespans lengthen.It was one of Macron's election promises but have been postponed because of the 'Gilet Jaune' movement: today France is shaken up by the reforms on the pensions.
But what does the reform really consist of?
Macron wants to set up a single points-based pension system in which each day worked earns points for a worker’s future pension benefits. Therefore, there would not be any difference in the pension based on the type of work but on the time one has worked in his/her life.
That would mark a big break from the existing set-up with 42 different sector-specific pension schemes, each with different levels of contributions and benefits. For instance, the public sector would be worse-off. Currently, pension benefits are based on a worker’s 25 highest-earning years in the private sector and the last six months in the public sector- usually, you earn more at the end of your career, hence it was favourable for the public sector.
What is the French opinion upon these reforms?
The president says a points-based system would be fairer and simpler. However, critics say the plan will effectively force millions to work longer or face curtailed benefits. Since the 5th of December, five days of mass strikes by French unions have crippled transportation across the country. Although the new retirement plan will affect all French workers, the strike involves primarily public sector workers, including train drivers, teachers and hospital employees.
Besides, the government says it won't change the official retirement age of 62, but the new plan is expected to include financial conditions to encourage people to work longer as lifespans lengthen.
Find out more: https://youtu.be/SPPYm5UZ73I
This week, we turn our attention to the general strike which began in France on Thursday, December 5. Across the country, railway workers, teachers, air traf...
