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Legislation introduced by President Nicolas Sarkozy to raise the eligible age for minimum pensions to 62 from 60 and for full pensions to 67 from 65.
Ottawa (8 Sept. 2010) - Two to three million workers took to the streets across France Tuesday in a nationwide protest against plans by the French government to raise the minimum pension age from 60 to 62 by 2018.
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The maximum pension age would also rise by two years to 67 as has happened in a number of other European countries. The changes are especially unpopular among employees who perform manual work.
It was the biggest demonstration on any issue since President Nicolas Sarkozy came to power in 2007.
The 24-hour walk-out disrupted rail and air passengers, schools, hospitals and the postal service. Approximately 25% of all flights in and out of Paris were affected and an estimated half of rail and underground services were cancelled.
Union leaders said more people turned out than the previous protest in June, when two million people took to the streets. Dozens of rallies have already taken place in many cities across France.
The protests were timed to coincide with the introduction of Sarkozy's legislation to make the change in the pension eligibility age and to "reform" other aspects of the country's national pension system.
The latest polls suggest at least two thirds of voters oppose the pensions reforms and support the protests. Sarkozy's popularity has sunk close to an all-time low.
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