Debates in the French parliament began on Monday (Feb 06) on President Emmanuel Macron's proposed pension reform as the government defends its project, Reuters reported. The European country is about to face its third nationwide strike on Tuesday (Feb 07) since the reforms were introduced last month which will raise the pension age by two years to 64.&nbsp;

On Monday as Labour Minister Olivier Dussopt opened his remarks, opposition MPs began shouting intending to interrupt. Dussopt&nbsp;said, "I know this reform is difficult but I know that undertaking it is showing the courage others have lacked."&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-deadly-house-fire-leaves-mother-and-her-seven-children-aged-2-to-14-dead-559276">France: Mother and her seven children, aged 2 to 14 dead&nbsp;in massive house fire</a>

"All the tricks, ... all the lies will not suffice to counter a simple and unequivocal observation: our (pensions) system suffers from a structural deficit."

Parliament president Yael Braun-Oivet urged to maintain silence.&nbsp;

Left-wing MP Clementine Autain told reporters, "I think that the French are right to protest and I call on them to demonstrate on Tuesday the 7th, tomorrow, and next Saturday, because it is the only way&nbsp;to counter the government."

Civil aviation authorities on Sunday said that French train and air services are expected to be heavily disrupted by these nationwide strikes on Tuesday (Feb 07).&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-government-refuses-to-back-down-on-pension-reform-555227">Also read | French government refuses to back down on pension reform</a>

Ever since the pension reforms have been announced, over 1.2 million people have participated in the protests during the last strike on Jan 31.&nbsp;

Thousands of teachers, and railway workers have been protesting opposing the decision and demanding a raise in revenue. Unions said that there are two ways to increase the revenue such as taxing the super-rich or can ask employers or well-off pensioners to contribute more.

According to Labour Ministry, the pension system reforms would yield almost $19.18 billion in annual pension contributions.

(with inputs from agencies)

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Debates in the French parliament began on Monday (Feb 06) on President Emmanuel Macron's proposed pension reform as the government defends its project, Reuters reported.

Debates in the French parliament began on Monday (Feb 06) on President Emmanuel Macron's proposed pension reform as the government defends its project, Reuters reported. The European country is about to face its third nationwide strike on Tuesday (Feb 07) since the reforms were introduced last month which will raise the pension age by two years to 64. On Monday as Labour Minister Olivier Dussopt opened his remarks, opposition MPs began shouting intending to interrupt. Dussopt said, "I know this reform is difficult but I know that undertaking it is showing the courage others have lacked." Also read | France: Mother and her seven children, aged 2 to 14 dead in massive house fire "All the tricks, ... all the lies will not suffice to counter a simple and unequivocal observation: our (pensions) system suffers from a structural deficit." Parliament president Yael Braun-Oivet urged to maintain silence. Left-wing MP Clementine Autain told reporters, "I think that the French are right to protest and I call on them to demonstrate on Tuesday the 7th, tomorrow, and next Saturday, because it is the only way to counter the government." Civil aviation authorities on Sunday said that French train and air services are expected to be heavily disrupted by these nationwide strikes on Tuesday (Feb 07). Also read | French government refuses to back down on pension reform Ever since the pension reforms have been announced, over 1.2 million people have participated in the protests during the last strike on Jan 31. Thousands of teachers, and railway workers have been protesting opposing the decision and demanding a raise in revenue. Unions said that there are two ways to increase the revenue such as taxing the super-rich or can ask employers or well-off pensioners to contribute more. According to Labour Ministry, the pension system reforms would yield almost $19.18 billion in annual pension contributions. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

French parliament debates on pension reforms as third nationwide strike looms

A nationwide strike kicked off in France on Thursday with high school students in Paris expressing&nbsp;solidarity with workers.&nbsp;Police stood guard as more than a dozen students gathered in front of Helene Boucher high school in eastern Paris, holding&nbsp;banners supporting the anti-reform movement.

Workers&nbsp;opposing an unpopular pensions overhaul are&nbsp;striking, disrupting transportation and schooling across the country. President Emmanuel Macron's government has proposed raising the retirement age for most people to 64 from 62 and increase the years of contributions required for a full pension.

Following the news, France's trade unions immediately called for a mass mobilisation. The last time a similar call was made was 12 years ago when the retirement age was hiked to 62 from 60.

Most trains will be cancelled, with flights also affected and Paris' subway heavily disrupted. Only one in three to one in five high-speed TGV lines will operate, and only one in ten local TER trains, the SNCF train operator said. Transport Minister Clement Beaune has warned of "a hellish Thursday", urging people to work from home.

However, international traffic on the Eurostar and Thalys lines is set to be nearly normal, while the Lyria connection with Switzerland will face major disruptions and other international train connections will be entirely cancelled.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-prepares-for-hellish-thursday-as-nationwide-pension-strikes-approach-553628">France prepares for 'hellish Thursday' as nationwide pension strikes loom</a>

Around 70 per cent of primary school teachers are also expected to strike, with several schools being closed entirely for the day, according to the main teachers' union.

The industrial action will test whether unions, who in past years have struggled to convince people to strike, can transform this anger into mass social protest.

France's hardline CGT union has threatened to cut off electricity supplies to lawmakers and billionaires.

"I suggest they also go see the nice properties, the nice castles of billionaires," Philippe Martinez, leader of the CGT, France's second-largest trade union, told France 2 television on Wednesday.

"It would be good if we cut off their electricity so that they can put themselves, for a few days, in the shoes of ... French people who can't afford to pay their bill."

Sebastien Menesplier, of the CGT's energy and mine branch, has even threatened to cut electricity in the offices of MPs, as per local media reports.

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Martinez further said he hoped for "lots of people in the street and lots of people on strike".

He also said that he expects many in the private sector to join public-sector workers in the strikes. He believes "in certain big companies, striker rates that should hover around 60, 70 per cent".

The unions expect over a million demonstrators in more than 200 cities across France.

According to the French media, the police are preparing to handle 550,000 to 750,000 protesters, including 50,000 to 80,000 in Paris.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said Wednesday that 10,000 police and gendarmes will be working to counter the protesters, including more than a third of them in the capital. He told RTL radio that they expect some 1,000 demonstrators to turn "violent", saying they were from the radical left or past Yellow Vest movement.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A nationwide strike kicked off in France on Thursday with high school students in Paris expressing solidarity with workers. Police stood guard as more than a dozen students gathered in front of Helene Boucher high school in eastern Paris, holding banners supporting the anti-reform movement.

A nationwide strike kicked off in France on Thursday with high school students in Paris expressing solidarity with workers. Police stood guard as more than a dozen students gathered in front of Helene Boucher high school in eastern Paris, holding banners supporting the anti-reform movement. Workers opposing an unpopular pensions overhaul are striking, disrupting transportation and schooling across the country. President Emmanuel Macron's government has proposed raising the retirement age for most people to 64 from 62 and increase the years of contributions required for a full pension. Following the news, France's trade unions immediately called for a mass mobilisation. The last time a similar call was made was 12 years ago when the retirement age was hiked to 62 from 60. Most trains will be cancelled, with flights also affected and Paris' subway heavily disrupted. Only one in three to one in five high-speed TGV lines will operate, and only one in ten local TER trains, the SNCF train operator said. Transport Minister Clement Beaune has warned of "a hellish Thursday", urging people to work from home. However, international traffic on the Eurostar and Thalys lines is set to be nearly normal, while the Lyria connection with Switzerland will face major disruptions and other international train connections will be entirely cancelled. Also Read | France prepares for 'hellish Thursday' as nationwide pension strikes loom Around 70 per cent of primary school teachers are also expected to strike, with several schools being closed entirely for the day, according to the main teachers' union. The industrial action will test whether unions, who in past years have struggled to convince people to strike, can transform this anger into mass social protest. France's hardline CGT union has threatened to cut off electricity supplies to lawmakers and billionaires. "I suggest they also go see the nice properties, the nice castles of billionaires," Philippe Martinez, leader of the CGT, France's second-largest trade union, told France 2 television on Wednesday. "It would be good if we cut off their electricity so that they can put themselves, for a few days, in the shoes of ... French people who can't afford to pay their bill." Sebastien Menesplier, of the CGT's energy and mine branch, has even threatened to cut electricity in the offices of MPs, as per local media reports. × Martinez further said he hoped for "lots of people in the street and lots of people on strike". He also said that he expects many in the private sector to join public-sector workers in the strikes. He believes "in certain big companies, striker rates that should hover around 60, 70 per cent". The unions expect over a million demonstrators in more than 200 cities across France. According to the French media, the police are preparing to handle 550,000 to 750,000 protesters, including 50,000 to 80,000 in Paris. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said Wednesday that 10,000 police and gendarmes will be working to counter the protesters, including more than a third of them in the capital. He told RTL radio that they expect some 1,000 demonstrators to turn "violent", saying they were from the radical left or past Yellow Vest movement. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Nationwide strike kicks off in France over pension reforms

Strikes disrupting services in France brought frustration for travellers thronging Paris stations at the start of the festive season, as rail workers protested over pension reform.

Two weeks of nationwide industrial action against President Emmanuel Macron's planned overhaul of the pension system have disrupted railways and roads, shut some schools and brought more than half a million people onto the streets.

After inconclusive talks with the government on Thursday, hardline unions called for stoppages to continue over the holiday period, while rail sections of more moderate unions also rejected calls for a Christmas truce.

National rail operator SNCF continued to run reduced services on Saturday, including half the usual number of its high-speed TGV trains, as passengers headed out of the French capital.

At Saint-Lazare station, one of the busiest in Paris, travellers scrutinised departure boards for service updates.

Sylvain de Pierrepont and Cathy Walters, en route to Normandy with their two children to visit family, stood waiting after their train was delayed.

"It's a bit stressful because we don't know if the train will be running or not," de Pierrepont said.

As well as competing for limited seats on nationwide rail services, travellers also endured transport chaos in and around Paris with metro and suburban train services crippled by strikes.

Half of the capital's 16 metro lines were shut on Saturday.

At Saint-Lazare station, Aurelie Lecerf said she expected her journey to Caen in Normandy from the Paris suburbs to take six hours, twice the usual journey time.

Unions oppose Macron's plans to streamline France's state pension system, including by scrapping special regimes for sectors such as railways, and to push people to work until 64, beyond the legal retirement age of 62.

The moderate CFDT union has called for members to observe a pause in strikes during the holiday season, but its rail section voted to pursue stoppages.

The rail section of the UNSA union also called for a holiday truce, a move opposed by members in some regions.

Negotiations over the pension reform are due to resume in January, after which the government wants to bring its proposal before parliament and have legislation passed by next summer.

Strikes disrupting services in France brought frustration for travellers thronging Paris stations at the start of the festive season, as rail workers protested over pension reform.

Strikes disrupting services in France brought frustration for travellers thronging Paris stations at the start of the festive season, as rail workers protested over pension reform. Two weeks of nationwide industrial action against President Emmanuel Macron's planned overhaul of the pension system have disrupted railways and roads, shut some schools and brought more than half a million people onto the streets. After inconclusive talks with the government on Thursday, hardline unions called for stoppages to continue over the holiday period, while rail sections of more moderate unions also rejected calls for a Christmas truce. National rail operator SNCF continued to run reduced services on Saturday, including half the usual number of its high-speed TGV trains, as passengers headed out of the French capital. At Saint-Lazare station, one of the busiest in Paris, travellers scrutinised departure boards for service updates. Sylvain de Pierrepont and Cathy Walters, en route to Normandy with their two children to visit family, stood waiting after their train was delayed. "It's a bit stressful because we don't know if the train will be running or not," de Pierrepont said. As well as competing for limited seats on nationwide rail services, travellers also endured transport chaos in and around Paris with metro and suburban train services crippled by strikes. Half of the capital's 16 metro lines were shut on Saturday. At Saint-Lazare station, Aurelie Lecerf said she expected her journey to Caen in Normandy from the Paris suburbs to take six hours, twice the usual journey time. Unions oppose Macron's plans to streamline France's state pension system, including by scrapping special regimes for sectors such as railways, and to push people to work until 64, beyond the legal retirement age of 62. The moderate CFDT union has called for members to observe a pause in strikes during the holiday season, but its rail section voted to pursue stoppages. The rail section of the UNSA union also called for a holiday truce, a move opposed by members in some regions. Negotiations over the pension reform are due to resume in January, after which the government wants to bring its proposal before parliament and have legislation passed by next summer.

French travellers face train disruption as pension strikes go on

France public sector strike: Where is the unrest being felt the hardest?

France was Wednesday preparing for one of its biggest nationwide strikes in years with stoppages by transport workers and teachers expected to paralyse the country in an intensifying showdown between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-macrons-criticism-of-nato-very-very-nasty-before-summit-266035">President Emmanuel Macron</a> and unions.

Some 90 per cent of high-speed trains have been axed, most of the Paris metro will be shut, hundreds of flights cancelled and the majority of schools closed in Thursday's strike over Macron's planned pension reforms.

The strike, which is open-ended and could last several days, has drawn comparisons between the struggle between government and unions in November-December 1995 when the country was paralysed for some three weeks.

Workers across France will have to work from home or find novel ways to access their offices using car-sharing services, rental bikes or e-scooters.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/paris-metro-faces-severe-disruptions-from-december-5-strike-265089">The strikes</a> will be a major test of whether Macron, who came to power on the back of a promise to transform France and has also sought a prominent place on the international stage, has the political strength to push through his vision.

The president is regarded to have seen off the threat posed by the "yellow vest" protesters whose weekly demonstrations against the lack of equality shook France since November last year.

But their anger could feed into the strike movement called by the unions and a transport strike on September 13 that caused gridlock in Paris might prove a harbinger of things to come.

"It will be a Black Thursday in transport," prophesied the Le Parisien daily.

But the Le Monde daily argued that channelling the anger of "yellow vests" movement represented both an opportunity but also a risk for the unions, who could lose control of the movement.

"The unions have embarked on an adventure that has little chance of achieving its aim by forcing Emmanuel Macron to give up the reform," it said in an analysis, arguing that "2019 is not 1995".

On the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/paris-metro-faces-severe-disruptions-from-december-5-strike-265089">Paris metro</a>, 11 of the city's 16 lines will shut down completely Thursday, with only the two fully automated lines running as normal.

Rail operator SNCF said 90 per cent of high-speed TGV trains, as well as regional trains across the country, would be cancelled, while international services like the Eurostar and Thalys would be severely disrupted.

Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said he expected 55 per cent of teaching staff to strike nationwide Thursday, with 78 per cent walking out in Paris, and just 30 per cent of schools being able to open.

With some air traffic controllers also walking out, flag-carrier Air France said it was axing 30 per cent of its internal flights and 15 per cent of short-haul international routes.

British low-cost carrier EasyJet has cancelled 223 domestic and short-haul international flights and warned others risk being delayed.

Macron wants to implement a signature campaign promise that would see a "universal" retirement system.

It would do away with 42 "special regimes" for sectors ranging from rail and energy workers to lawyers and Paris Opera employees, which often grant workers higher pensions or early retirement.

But unions say the changes would effectively require millions of private-sector workers to work beyond the legal retirement age of 62 if they want to receive the full pension they have been promised.

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who has acknowledged French workers will gradually work longer, is set to unveil details of the reform on December 12.

Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said Wednesday that 245 demonstrations were expected nationwide, warning that a radical fringe of demonstrators could cause trouble.

"We know there will be lots of people in these protests and we know the risks. I have requested that systematically when there is rioting or violence we make arrests immediately," he said.

Two major demonstrations are planned for Paris that will converge on the Place de la Nation, with officials ordering Paris businesses along the routes to close on Thursday.

France was Wednesday preparing for one of its biggest nationwide strikes in years with stoppages by transport workers and teachers expected to paralyse the country in an intensifying showdown between President Emmanuel Macron and unions.

France was Wednesday preparing for one of its biggest nationwide strikes in years with stoppages by transport workers and teachers expected to paralyse the country in an intensifying showdown between President Emmanuel Macron and unions. Some 90 per cent of high-speed trains have been axed, most of the Paris metro will be shut, hundreds of flights cancelled and the majority of schools closed in Thursday's strike over Macron's planned pension reforms. The strike, which is open-ended and could last several days, has drawn comparisons between the struggle between government and unions in November-December 1995 when the country was paralysed for some three weeks. Workers across France will have to work from home or find novel ways to access their offices using car-sharing services, rental bikes or e-scooters. The strikes will be a major test of whether Macron, who came to power on the back of a promise to transform France and has also sought a prominent place on the international stage, has the political strength to push through his vision. The president is regarded to have seen off the threat posed by the "yellow vest" protesters whose weekly demonstrations against the lack of equality shook France since November last year. But their anger could feed into the strike movement called by the unions and a transport strike on September 13 that caused gridlock in Paris might prove a harbinger of things to come. "It will be a Black Thursday in transport," prophesied the Le Parisien daily. But the Le Monde daily argued that channelling the anger of "yellow vests" movement represented both an opportunity but also a risk for the unions, who could lose control of the movement. "The unions have embarked on an adventure that has little chance of achieving its aim by forcing Emmanuel Macron to give up the reform," it said in an analysis, arguing that "2019 is not 1995". On the Paris metro, 11 of the city's 16 lines will shut down completely Thursday, with only the two fully automated lines running as normal. Rail operator SNCF said 90 per cent of high-speed TGV trains, as well as regional trains across the country, would be cancelled, while international services like the Eurostar and Thalys would be severely disrupted. Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said he expected 55 per cent of teaching staff to strike nationwide Thursday, with 78 per cent walking out in Paris, and just 30 per cent of schools being able to open. With some air traffic controllers also walking out, flag-carrier Air France said it was axing 30 per cent of its internal flights and 15 per cent of short-haul international routes. British low-cost carrier EasyJet has cancelled 223 domestic and short-haul international flights and warned others risk being delayed. Macron wants to implement a signature campaign promise that would see a "universal" retirement system. It would do away with 42 "special regimes" for sectors ranging from rail and energy workers to lawyers and Paris Opera employees, which often grant workers higher pensions or early retirement. But unions say the changes would effectively require millions of private-sector workers to work beyond the legal retirement age of 62 if they want to receive the full pension they have been promised. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who has acknowledged French workers will gradually work longer, is set to unveil details of the reform on December 12. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said Wednesday that 245 demonstrations were expected nationwide, warning that a radical fringe of demonstrators could cause trouble. "We know there will be lots of people in these protests and we know the risks. I have requested that systematically when there is rioting or violence we make arrests immediately," he said. Two major demonstrations are planned for Paris that will converge on the Place de la Nation, with officials ordering Paris businesses along the routes to close on Thursday.

France braces for shutdown as Macron clashes with unions

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French parliament debates on pension reforms as third nationwide strike looms

Nationwide strike kicks off in France over pension reforms

French travellers face train disruption as pension strikes go on

France public sector strike: Where is the unrest being felt the hardest?

France braces for shutdown as Macron clashes with unions