PARIS, Dec 7, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – France was on Saturday expecting its most
serious nationwide strike in years to paralyse the country over the weekend,
with unions warning the turmoil would last well into next week.
The challenge thrown to President Emmanuel Macron over his plans for
radical pension reform has seen hundreds of thousands take to the streets and
key transport services brought to a standstill.
The strikes, which began on Thursday, have recalled the winter of 1995,
when three weeks of huge stoppages forced a social policy U-turn by the then-
government.
Unions have vowed a second series of mass demonstrations nationwide on
Tuesday after big rallies on Thursday and there is expected to be little
easing of the transport freezes over the coming days.
Macron was widely believed to have ridden out the challenge posed by the
“yellow vests” whose weekly Saturday protests against inequality in France
have shaken the government over the last year.
But the yellow vests have also sought to utilise the momentum of the strike
movement and are expected to hold protests across France this Saturday.
With Macron seeking for now to rise above the fray, Prime Minister Edouard
Philippe insisted that the government would not abandon the plan even if it
was prepared to bring it in more gradually.
He said the government would work with trade unions to introduce a single
points-based pension scheme that would require the French to “work a bit
longer” and replace dozens of more advantageous plans currently enjoyed by
public-sector workers.
But the premier emphasised that the changes, which he said would be
unveiled on Wednesday, were going to be introduced “progressively, without
harshness”.
– Weekend disruption –
The SNCF rail operator has warned that disruption at the weekend will be at
the same level as the last two days with just 10-15 percent of high-speed and
regional trains running.
The Paris metro will remain severely disrupted with nine lines entirely
shut, five only partially and just the driverless 1 and 14 lines working
normally.
Many cancellations are also expected on the international Eurostar and
Thalys services.
Air travel, which has been less impacted by the strikes, is expected to
return closer to normal with air traffic restrictions now dropped by civil
aviation authorities.
The walkout is the latest test of Macron’s mettle after months of protests
from teachers, hospital workers, police and firefighters, capping a year of
social unrest triggered by the yellow vest movement.
Unions say Macron’s proposal for a single pension system would force
millions of people in both the public and private sectors to work well beyond
the official retirement age of 62.
At least 800,000 took part in rallies around the country on Thursday,
according to the interior ministry — one of the biggest demonstrations of
union strength in nearly a decade.
Another day of strikes and rallies has been called for Tuesday, a day after
union leaders are to meet again with government officials over the pension
reform.
While most of the rallies Thursday were peaceful, police fired tear gas to
disperse dozens of black-clad protesters smashing windows and throwing stones
during the Paris march, with one construction trailer set on fire.
Several dozen people were arrested, and three journalists were injured
after reportedly being hit by tear gas or stun grenades, including a Turkish
journalist who was struck in the face.