Reuters is reporting that the French Senate will vote on a proposed increase to the retirement age, on Friday, October 22nd. Originally the Senate was to vote Thursday, October 21st. That proposal has sparked on again, off again strikes. But the latest strikes have gone on for more than a week now, and involve everyone from teenagers to retirees.
To clarify the retirement age in France, because there has been some misreporting going on by the main stream media. The current retirement age in France is 60, but that is not for full retirement benefits. Full retirement is 65. The proposal, of which the main elements have been approved by the French Parliament, would raise the age of partial retirement from 60 to 62, and full retirement from 65 to 67.
People using air transport had to walk to the airports because public transportation has been shut down. Train workers joined the strike today, by forming blockades, and burning railroad ties.
The French Interior Ministry said that on Tuesday, October 19th, 1.1 million people went on strike across France. Union officials claim it was 3.5 million. Either way that’s a lot, when was the last time you saw even 1 million people protest on a single day in the United States? Even the Million Man March fell short.
French high school students continue to protest. Victor Colombani, a 16-year-old student and President of the National Union of Students explained; “Extending the age of retirement means reducing almost a million jobs for young people. We call for a fairer reform that takes into account years of study and periods of forced unemployment for young people.”
The strikes have also forced entertainer Lady Gaga to cancel her French tour. According to her website; “Unfortunately, as there is no certainty that the trucks can make it to the Bercy for this weekend’s shows, the Lady Gaga performances are now postponed.”