World - Europe
Updated: March 06, 2023

Workers Set To Hit France With Nationwide Strikes

By Quadri Adejumo
March 06, 2023
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Unions are threatening to shut down France’s economy this week.

This is to be a response to President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to raise the retirement age.

Truckers are being urged to block major highway arteries and interchanges in go-slow actions dubbed "escargot" operations.

Unions also plan an open-ended strike on the national rail service starting Monday evening.

On Tuesday, strikes are expected across multiple sectors and protests are planned in cities across France against the retirement bill.

The reform, which would raise the official pension age from 62 to 64 and require 43 years of work to earn a full pension, is currently under debate in parliament.

Labor Minister Olivier Dussopt on Monday said; "Expressing disagreement is legitimate, yet it must not lead to blocking the country, which would be dangerous to our economy."

Authorities have encouraged people to work from home on Tuesday if possible.