03:04France: Violence erupts in Nantes as thousands of protesters rally against pension reform
Clashes erupted between protesters and anti-riot police in Nantes on Wednesday, as thousands took to the streets to protest against the Macron government’s pension reform.
Protesters were seen setting litter bins on fire during the demonstration. Footage shows protesters marching with banners displaying slogans such as, 'Dignity for our elders, 'Grieving democracy' and 'Steal from the poor to give to the rich?
“I have colleagues that leave completely exhausted at 62, so it’s going to be difficult, it’s getting more and more difficult," said Allan Derrien, an operating agent in the Cordemais power station.
France has seen a large scale of strikes organised by workers’ unions since January, following the government’s plan to increase the retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2030.
Ministers reportedly say the changes will balance the deficit in the system caused by longer life expectancy.
France, along with a handful of other EU countries, has the lowest pension age in Europe, spending nearly 14 per cent of its economic output on them.
The last reform, in 2011, raised the retirement age from 60 to 62.
03:04Clashes erupted between protesters and anti-riot police in Nantes on Wednesday, as thousands took to the streets to protest against the Macron government’s pension reform.
Protesters were seen setting litter bins on fire during the demonstration. Footage shows protesters marching with banners displaying slogans such as, 'Dignity for our elders, 'Grieving democracy' and 'Steal from the poor to give to the rich?
“I have colleagues that leave completely exhausted at 62, so it’s going to be difficult, it’s getting more and more difficult," said Allan Derrien, an operating agent in the Cordemais power station.
France has seen a large scale of strikes organised by workers’ unions since January, following the government’s plan to increase the retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2030.
Ministers reportedly say the changes will balance the deficit in the system caused by longer life expectancy.
France, along with a handful of other EU countries, has the lowest pension age in Europe, spending nearly 14 per cent of its economic output on them.
The last reform, in 2011, raised the retirement age from 60 to 62.