Macron Cabinet Approves the Unacceptable New Pension Measure, as Protests Continue

Jan. 25, 2020 (EIRNS)—Yesterday, the cabinet of French President Emmanuel Macron gave their approval to the vicious measure for restructuring pensions, which adds unacceptable burdens on workers and families. Mass protests have gone on against the wrongly named “pension reform” for weeks. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe presented the measure to the cabinet for action. Now the pension measure is to go before the National Assembly, where debates will begin Feb. 17. Labor union leaders have vowed continued opposition. A meeting has been announced between government authorities and labor for Jan. 30, if it comes off.

Today, Helga Zepp-LaRouche described the proposal as a privatization of pensions, in which workers end up as employees of private insurers, not public authorities, and must work harder and longer for less.

Yesterday there were thousands of demonstrators in the streets for the seventh day of nationwide protests. There was a march in Paris, and the Eiffel Tower was among the closed landmarks, although the Metro and other transportation services were running. In the evening on Jan. 23, there were torch-lit protests in Paris, ahead of the “Black Friday” cabinet action, and planned counter-strikes and closures. Friday, Jan. 24 marked the 51st day of the strike, the longest in 40 years.