Macron pension reform: France paralysed by biggest national strike in years

[Eugene]

Source: BBC

1 hour ago

A nationwide strike has severely disrupted schools and public transport across France.

Workers are angry at being forced to retire later or face reduced pensions.

School and transport workers have been joined by police, lawyers, and hospital and airport staff for a general walkout that could include millions of people.

France's largest nationwide strike in years was agreed by unions unhappy with President Emmanuel Macron's plans for a universal points-based pension system.

-snip-


Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50643323

[melm00se]

1. I freely admit I don't

understand the French pension system, but it the French government is running this and if this statement is accurate

That would replace France's current system, which has 42 different pension schemes for its private and public sectors, with variations in retirement age and benefits.

That has to be inefficient as hell and implementing a single structure and process probably would be a good thing.

[Major Nikon]

2. The problem is it defeats the purpose of having a union

The strength of a union is its ability to bargain for the benefit of its members. If a union bargained for a retirement age of 55, they undoubtedly gave something else up to get it. Now the government wants to tell them their retirement age is higher which negates the benefit and means whatever they gave up to get it was for nothing.

That's why the French people are taking to the streets over this.

[Old Crank]

3. One problem with

the French 42 different pension systems is the at they don't transfer from one job to another. The points based system will link all pension plans. Currently you would have to be vested to get benefits in the plan you work under before you could switch types of jobs. This reduces the movement of French labor to other sectors. You get locked in.