France is experiencing its largest nation-wide strike in years. It comes in response to a plan by President Macron’s government to overhaul the country’s pension system.
Teachers and other school personnel, transportation workers, police, lawyers, and hospital and airport staff are all participating in the strike. This has resulted in widespread disruption in numerous sectors throughout the country. Schools have been canceled. Transportation has become exceedingly difficult as trains, buses, and metro lines have ceased operations. Air travel in and out of France has also been disrupted.
President Macron’s plan would require workers to postpone retirement or face a reduction in their retirement benefits. Currently, France’s retirement age is 62. The new plan would penalize individuals retiring before the age of 64 and would create a standardized system for the calculation of benefits, which would result in individuals in certain fields receiving lower pensions after retirement.
It is unclear when the strike will come to an end, as some of the individuals involved in the strike have vowed not to return to work until the government abandons its plans. As a result, there is a risk that the disruption in travel, schools, and hospital services will continue throughout the country for weeks to come.
