Thousands marched through Paris to protest against the pension reforms.
PARIS, Jan 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has offered a concession to unions in a bid to end nationwide strikes against proposed pension reforms.
In a letter, Philippe said he was willing to withdraw a proposal which would raise the age at which workers can claim their pension from 62 to 64.
One of France’s largest unions, the CFDT, welcomed the announcement saying it showed a willingness to compromise.
However, the CGT union called the proposal “a smokescreen”.
In a statement it said it was “more determined than ever” to stop the reforms.
Industrial action against President Emmanuel Macron’s planned pension reform is in its 38th day and has badly disrupted France’s transport system – particularly trains.
Protesters again took to the streets of Paris and other cities on Saturday. In the capital, police fired tear gas at some groups of protesters who smashed windows and set light to rubbish bins and billboards.
Philippe’s announcement followed talks between ministers and union leaders on Friday.
The government says the reforms are necessary to make the system fairer and more sustainable, but unions say workers will lose out.
“To demonstrate my confidence in the social partners… I am willing to withdraw from the bill the short-term measure I had proposed” to set a so-called “pivot age” of 64 with effect from 2027, he wrote in his letter to the union leaders.
President Macron described it as “a constructive compromise”.
Laurent Berger, secretary general of the CFDT, hailed the government’s concession as “a victory” for the union.
Writing on Twitter, he said it marked “the government’s willingness to compromise”.
“We obtained the withdrawal of the pivotal age, a victory for the CFDT! We will now continue our action for a fairer and more united retirement system,” he said.
However, the CGT said it would continue to demand “the withdrawal” of the pension reforms.
It called on people “to participate massively in strikes and demonstrations planned for next week”.
Workers are striking over Macron’s plans to replace France’s 42 separate pension regimes with a universal points-based system. — NNN-AGENCIES