The transport sector strike in France entered its 29th day, becoming the longest in the country's history after the 1986 strike, which did not exceed 28 days. After a speech in which French President Emmanuel Macron defended his project to reform the pension systems, the unions opposed to the reforms expressed their dissatisfaction with what was stated in the speech of the President, who called on the Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe, to reach a "quick settlement" with the organizations and unions that wish to do so. Some unions have indicated their willingness to participate in the negotiations scheduled with the government on January 7.
In the absence of a horizon to find a solution to the crisis, the strike in protest against the reform of the pension system in France on Thursday became the longest continuous strike for transportation in 30 years in the country.
The strike began on 5 December to express the government's refusal to adopt a "comprehensive" pension system based on points. The strike mainly paralyzed trains throughout France and public transport in Paris.
Thursday reached its 29th day, becoming the longest in the history of the National Railways of France, overcoming the duration of the 1986-1987 strike.
It was also lengthy from a 1995 strike against a project to reform the state pension system, which the government eventually withdrew.
On Thursday, there is an average train of one of two express trains in the country. The National Railways plans to operate two of the three trains at the weekend, which coincide with the return from New Year's Day.
The pension system is a highly sensitive topic in France, where the population remains attached to a distribution-based pension system, which is considered one of the most secure systems for workers in the world.
The new points system that the government wants is to merge the 42 existing systems, and among them are special systems that allow train drivers to retire early.
The government asserts that the planned system is "more just", while opponents of the reform denounce the "insecurity" they see causing it, as it stipulates delaying retirement while reducing pensions.
French President Emmanuel Macron's speech on Tuesday to mark the New Year did not satisfy the anti-reform unions. Macron had assured that the reform would be "accomplished", calling on the government to "find a speedy settlement" with union organizations.
For his part, Secretary-General of the General Confederation of Labor Philippe Martinier called on January 1 "all Frenchmen to mobilize and participate in demonstrations and strikes."
In the absence of a horizon to find a solution to the crisis, the strike in protest against the reform of the pension system in France on Thursday became the longest continuous strike for transportation in 30 years in the country.
The strike began on 5 December to express the government's refusal to adopt a "comprehensive" pension system based on points. The strike mainly paralyzed trains throughout France and public transport in Paris.
Thursday reached its 29th day, becoming the longest in the history of the National Railways of France, overcoming the duration of the 1986-1987 strike.
It was also lengthy from a 1995 strike against a project to reform the state pension system, which the government eventually withdrew.
On Thursday, there is an average train of one of two express trains in the country. The National Railways plans to operate two of the three trains at the weekend, which coincide with the return from New Year's Day.
The pension system is a highly sensitive topic in France, where the population remains attached to a distribution-based pension system, which is considered one of the most secure systems for workers in the world.
The new points system that the government wants is to merge the 42 existing systems, and among them are special systems that allow train drivers to retire early.
The government asserts that the planned system is "more just", while opponents of the reform denounce the "insecurity" they see causing it, as it stipulates delaying retirement while reducing pensions.
French President Emmanuel Macron's speech on Tuesday to mark the New Year did not satisfy the anti-reform unions. Macron had assured that the reform would be "accomplished", calling on the government to "find a speedy settlement" with union organizations.
For his part, Secretary-General of the General Confederation of Labor Philippe Martinier called on January 1 "all Frenchmen to mobilize and participate in demonstrations and strikes."