Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/FRANCE: A nationwide strike is under way in France in a second wave of protests against President Emmanuel Macron’s plans to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.
Eight big unions are participating in the strike, disrupting public transport, oil refineries, and schools.
More than a million people participated in the first day of action earlier this month, and more protests are expected across France. Almost half of the primary teachers are on strike.
Despite polls showing that two-thirds of the French oppose the reforms, which start their journey through the National Assembly next week, the Macron government is moving forward with them.
Without having a majority in parliament, the government will have to depend on the right-wing Republicans for support as much as the ruling parties’ MPs.
To cover the demonstrations, around 11,000 police have been deployed
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the Far-left leader, said France was at a crucial point and predicted an even more significant number of protesters than on the first day of protest. Street protests are expected in major cities and smaller towns. To cover the demonstrations, around 11,000 police have been deployed.
In the Paris area, there was severe disruption to transport, with two driverless metro lines and one in three high-speed trains operating normally. There were reportedly large crowds on one of the city’s primary overground routes.
According to the CGT union, At least 75 per cent of employees at the large TotalEnergies oil refineries and gasoline depots have walked out.
One of the top teachers’ organizations predicted that 50% of all teachers in kindergarten and primary schools would go on strike.
High school students demonstrated in front of specific schools and said they would occupy Sciences Po in Paris to support the strikes.
Bruno Palier, a Sciences Po political scientist, told the BBC, “Many people in France believe that working is becoming very difficult. It’s not that they don’t want to work, but they don’t want to work under these circumstances.”
The administration has hinted that it might move forward on the specifics of the change, but it is standing firm on its position to raise the retirement age by two years to 64.
According to economist Prof. Philippe Aghion, the measures are essential because France has a structural deficit of €13 billion ($14 billion; £11 billion), and extending the retirement age will also contribute to a higher employment rate in France.
According to him, this will provide the government the confidence it needs to invest in the green industry, innovation, and the medical system, which require improvement.
