French Pension Protests Persist

By Maya Taylor Prince ‘24
The French Parliament has recently raised the nation’s retirement age from 62 to 64 years old. Many citizens, who had worked for decades in hopes of retiring at 62, are outraged by this rule change which occurred just when they planned to wind down their careers.

Protests have increased across the nation, ranging from blocking airports to setting fires in the streets. The French police department has attempted to settle down the protests, but French citizens refuse to be silenced. Some fear the protests will have a negative impact on tourism in the country, with even British King Charles III delaying visits to Paris due to “unsafe conditions.” 
This unexpected change in law, signed by French President Emmanuel Macron, requires French employees to work for a minimum of 43 years before being considered for retirement. A variety of French national associations and unions, including the Confédération Générale du Travail (General Confederation of Labour) Departmental Union and Federation Syndicale Unitaire (FSU), have been associated with the recent protests, most notably setting off smoke bombs at the Biarritz Airport in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. 
The FSU specifically represents over 80% of French educators around the country and has been recognized as having an important role in the protests. Many leaders of the unions have rejected any conversation with President Macron, as they wish for the protests to continue. 
President Macron has also refused any conversation requests and continues to send out more French authorities to dismantle the protests. 
However, members of the unions have attempted to reason with President Macron, in hopes that the pension reform can be placed on hold. But with no change evident, the protests have become much more violent, as both police and French citizens have been fighting back. 
"Personally, I would be furious if I was approaching retirement and I was suddenly forced to work for additional years. I believe that French citizens have every right to protest this law, and should exercise their right to speak out against unfair regulations," said sophomore Cayla McKay.
In an interview in early April, Claire Hédon, the Defender of Rights, called for a “de-escalation” in violence. “The use of force can only be done if necessary, and in a proportionate manner,” she said. “I am very worried about what I observe in the escalation of violence.” 
According to the Times of Israel, these protests have continued to escalate as the railway unions called for a “railway anger” event on April 20th. Railway workers appeared at the Gare de Lyon train station in Paris, protesting the pension reforms and warning the French government that they had no plans to back down. 
On May 1st, the public holiday that is most commonly known throughout the world for its commemoration of workers in the labor movement, trade unions organized mass protests. Leading up to the May 1st protests, French Communist Party Chief Fabien Roussel tweeted, “Everyone on the street May 1,” in hopes that French citizens would join in the fight for their rights. French unions even offered to converse with President Macron, but only after the protests of May 1st concluded. 
“I empathize with many French citizens, hence this change in the law is sudden and many have been working towards retirement at the age of 62 for many years,” said junior Eliana Finkel.