02:44France: 'It's just outrageous' - Clashes as pension reform protesters attempt to invade shops in Paris
Scuffles broke out between Police officers and CGT unionists outside various high-street outlets in Paris on Wednesday, as protesters took to the streets to demonstrate against the Macron government’s pension reform.
Footage shows officers and protesters pushing each other as several members of the union tried to invade the stores while hundreds of protesters marched through the streets of the French capital.
"I have workers who work for me and who call me to say that they can't eat. It's just outrageous. While they are there, the big ones on top, they enrich. We have seen that in the figures of the last few years, and I find that just scandalous," a protester said.
According to Amar Lagha, Secretary General of the CGT Commerce and Services Federation, many employees complain that their monthly salary is not enough and that demonstrating is the only way to make their voices heard.
"The goal is to maintain the action, to be visible, and to be heard. If Macron thinks the page is turned, he is wrong. If employers think the page is turned, they are wrong,” he said.
“If, from time to time, we can hurt these large groups that enrich themselves, it is a good thing. They will also understand what it's like to lose a day's work," he continued.
French President Emmanuel Macron has attempted to regain control of the domestic agenda following huge protests and demonstrations over his pension changes in recent months - including raising the retirement age from 62 to 64.
02:44Scuffles broke out between Police officers and CGT unionists outside various high-street outlets in Paris on Wednesday, as protesters took to the streets to demonstrate against the Macron government’s pension reform.
Footage shows officers and protesters pushing each other as several members of the union tried to invade the stores while hundreds of protesters marched through the streets of the French capital.
"I have workers who work for me and who call me to say that they can't eat. It's just outrageous. While they are there, the big ones on top, they enrich. We have seen that in the figures of the last few years, and I find that just scandalous," a protester said.
According to Amar Lagha, Secretary General of the CGT Commerce and Services Federation, many employees complain that their monthly salary is not enough and that demonstrating is the only way to make their voices heard.
"The goal is to maintain the action, to be visible, and to be heard. If Macron thinks the page is turned, he is wrong. If employers think the page is turned, they are wrong,” he said.
“If, from time to time, we can hurt these large groups that enrich themselves, it is a good thing. They will also understand what it's like to lose a day's work," he continued.
French President Emmanuel Macron has attempted to regain control of the domestic agenda following huge protests and demonstrations over his pension changes in recent months - including raising the retirement age from 62 to 64.