The boss of a hardline French trade union on Friday vowed to press on with a strike that has crippled transport in Paris for the past three weeks and is now the longest-lasting such action since the 1980s.

The strike against pension reforms championed by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colonialism-was-a-grave-mistake-french-pm-emmanuel-macron-269555">President Emmanuel Macron</a> began on December 5 and has cast a long shadow over celebrations in France for Christmas and the New Year.

Now on day 23, the union stoppage is longer than the notorious 22-day strike of the winter of 1995 under late president Jacques Chirac against welfare cutbacks which forced the then government into a U-turn.

The longest <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-protests-against-pension-reform-continue-scuffle-breaks-out-at-gare-de-lyon-station-269785">transport strike</a> in France lasted for 28 days, also over Christmas, in 1986 and early 1987.

"It's a strong movement and still supported by public opinion," said Philippe Martinez, secretary-general of the CGT union as he visited picketing workers at a bus depot.

He lashed out at Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who has said he wants no confrontation with the strikers, accusing him of not being true to his word.

"The government shows how agitated it is with this kind of conception of social dialogue," said Martinez.&nbsp;

No end in sight&nbsp;

The strike was still paralysing transport in Paris on Friday, the day the French capital should be crammed with shoppers seeking <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/strike-makes-for-not-so-merry-christmas-travel-in-france-269597">post-Christmas bargains</a> or preparing for the New Year.

There appears to be no end in sight to the current movement with talks between the government and unions only set to resume on January 7.

Just two driverless metro lines were working normally Friday and five lines were completely shut down. National rail operator SNCF said six out of every 10 high-speed TGV trains were running.

Union activists also blocked four depots of Paris buses -&nbsp;which have largely kept running in the strikes with a much-reduced service -&nbsp;early Friday before being dispersed peacefully by Paris police, the local authorities said.

The unions are demanding that the government drops a plan to merge 42 existing pension schemes into a single, points-based system.

The overhaul would see workers in certain sectors -&nbsp;including the railways - lose early retirement benefits.&nbsp;

The government says the pension overhaul is needed to create a fairer system.

But workers object to the inclusion of a so-called pivot age of 64 until which people would have to work to earn a full pension - two years beyond the official retirement age.

The boss of a hardline French trade union on Friday vowed to press on with a strike that has crippled transport in Paris for the past three weeks and is now the longest-lasting such action since the 1980s.

The boss of a hardline French trade union on Friday vowed to press on with a strike that has crippled transport in Paris for the past three weeks and is now the longest-lasting such action since the 1980s. The strike against pension reforms championed by President Emmanuel Macron began on December 5 and has cast a long shadow over celebrations in France for Christmas and the New Year. Now on day 23, the union stoppage is longer than the notorious 22-day strike of the winter of 1995 under late president Jacques Chirac against welfare cutbacks which forced the then government into a U-turn. The longest transport strike in France lasted for 28 days, also over Christmas, in 1986 and early 1987. "It's a strong movement and still supported by public opinion," said Philippe Martinez, secretary-general of the CGT union as he visited picketing workers at a bus depot. He lashed out at Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who has said he wants no confrontation with the strikers, accusing him of not being true to his word. "The government shows how agitated it is with this kind of conception of social dialogue," said Martinez. No end in sight The strike was still paralysing transport in Paris on Friday, the day the French capital should be crammed with shoppers seeking post-Christmas bargains or preparing for the New Year. There appears to be no end in sight to the current movement with talks between the government and unions only set to resume on January 7. Just two driverless metro lines were working normally Friday and five lines were completely shut down. National rail operator SNCF said six out of every 10 high-speed TGV trains were running. Union activists also blocked four depots of Paris buses - which have largely kept running in the strikes with a much-reduced service - early Friday before being dispersed peacefully by Paris police, the local authorities said. The unions are demanding that the government drops a plan to merge 42 existing pension schemes into a single, points-based system. The overhaul would see workers in certain sectors - including the railways - lose early retirement benefits. The government says the pension overhaul is needed to create a fairer system. But workers object to the inclusion of a so-called pivot age of 64 until which people would have to work to earn a full pension - two years beyond the official retirement age.

Union boss defiant on France's longest strike in decades

In pictures: Schools shut, banks closed for Bharat Bandh; everyday life affected

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/evolution-of-central-banking-in-india-176794">Banking operations </a>Tuesday have been affected in some parts of the country as a section of employees refrained from work in support of the two-day strike call given by 10 central trade unions to protest against alleged anti-labour policies of the government.

All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) and Bank Employees' Federation of India (BEFI) have supported the strike, which has impacted banking operation where these two unions are strong.

However, the operation in SBI and private sector banks remained unaffected as other seven unions in the banking sector are not part of the strike.

Many public sector banks have already informed their customers about likely impact on services if strike materialises.

"If the strike materialises, a section of the bank's employees may take part in the proposed strike on the said dates, in which case, the normal functioning of the branches/offices of the bank may get affected," Indian Bank said in a statement.

A two-day strike on January 8 and 9 has been called by the central trade unions against the alleged repressive policies for workers adopted by the government.

Many public sector banks have already informed their customers about likely impact on services if strike materialises.

Banking operations Tuesday have been affected in some parts of the country as a section of employees refrained from work in support of the two-day strike call given by 10 central trade unions to protest against alleged anti-labour policies of the government. All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) and Bank Employees' Federation of India (BEFI) have supported the strike, which has impacted banking operation where these two unions are strong. However, the operation in SBI and private sector banks remained unaffected as other seven unions in the banking sector are not part of the strike. Many public sector banks have already informed their customers about likely impact on services if strike materialises. "If the strike materialises, a section of the bank's employees may take part in the proposed strike on the said dates, in which case, the normal functioning of the branches/offices of the bank may get affected," Indian Bank said in a statement. A two-day strike on January 8 and 9 has been called by the central trade unions against the alleged repressive policies for workers adopted by the government.

Banking operations partially affected due to trade union strike

In an attempt to appease trade unions that have threatened to go on strike, Indian finance minister Arun Jaitley today announced a hike in minimum wages from the current $3.67 (246 INR) to $5.22 (350 INR)for unskilled workers per day. 
 
&quot;In the past one-and-a-half years, the inter-ministerial committee had a&nbsp;meeting with central trade unions. Trade unions placed various demands. Some were labour-related and some economic policy issues related. The government has taken some decisions with regard to those on the basis of their recommendations,&quot; added Jaitley. 
 
The decision was taken following a meeting under the chairmanship of the Indian labour minister Bandaru Dattatreya, also attended by power minister Piyush Goyal. The registration of the contract workers and their staffing agencies is mandatory and states will be advised to strictly implement the same, the finance minister said. Errant contractors will face appropriate action for any violation, he warned. 
 
Asked about the strike call, Jaitley said: &quot;I think we have responsible trade unions.&quot; 
 
Jaitley told the media that the two years worth of bonus will be paid to Indian central government employees based on revised norms. The Bonus Amendment Act will be implemented &quot;strictly&quot;. Workers employed by the state governments, however, are not covered under the Act. 
 
The likely financial implications of the bonus move translate into $286 million (Rs1,920 crore) per annum. 
 
As many as 10 central trade unions have given a call for a one-day nationwide strike on September 2, 2016, to protest against Prime Minister Modi&#39;s labour reforms. 
 
Tapan Sen, the&nbsp;general secretary of the Centre of Trade Unions, said earlier today the strike would go on despite Jaitley&#39;s promise that the government would release state employees&#39; bonuses for the last two years and increase minimum wages, Reuters reported. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

Indian finance minister Arun Jaitley announced a hike from $3.67 to $5.22 per day for unskilled workers per day

In an attempt to appease trade unions that have threatened to go on strike, Indian finance minister Arun Jaitley today announced a hike in minimum wages from the current $3.67 (246 INR) to $5.22 (350 INR)for unskilled workers per day. "In the past one-and-a-half years, the inter-ministerial committee had a meeting with central trade unions. Trade unions placed various demands. Some were labour-related and some economic policy issues related. The government has taken some decisions with regard to those on the basis of their recommendations," added Jaitley. The decision was taken following a meeting under the chairmanship of the Indian labour minister Bandaru Dattatreya, also attended by power minister Piyush Goyal. The registration of the contract workers and their staffing agencies is mandatory and states will be advised to strictly implement the same, the finance minister said. Errant contractors will face appropriate action for any violation, he warned. Asked about the strike call, Jaitley said: "I think we have responsible trade unions." Jaitley told the media that the two years worth of bonus will be paid to Indian central government employees based on revised norms. The Bonus Amendment Act will be implemented "strictly". Workers employed by the state governments, however, are not covered under the Act. The likely financial implications of the bonus move translate into $286 million (Rs1,920 crore) per annum. As many as 10 central trade unions have given a call for a one-day nationwide strike on September 2, 2016, to protest against Prime Minister Modi's labour reforms. Tapan Sen, the general secretary of the Centre of Trade Unions, said earlier today the strike would go on despite Jaitley's promise that the government would release state employees' bonuses for the last two years and increase minimum wages, Reuters reported. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India hikes minimum wages with strike threat looming large