What’s going on:
Despite the failed meeting with Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, French labor unions remain determined to continue their battle against the proposed increase of the legal retirement age. Consequently, another round of strikes and demonstrations will be held this coming Thursday, according to Reuters.
Why it matters:
Despite weeks of protest marches and unrest, union representatives say that their voices are going unheard with regards to the proposed pension overhaul, which would raise the legal retirement age to 64 from 62.
The unions suggested to Borne that the only way to break the impasse was to scrap the reform, yet she refused to entertain the idea. The government claims the changes are necessary for the pension budget to be balanced in the years to come, but the unions say that the money could be found elsewhere.
How it’ll impact the future:
French President Macron’s attempt to quickly implement the legislation without parliamentary approval has only incited further rage from unions and the masses.
