France

France strikes: is the end in sight after Macron's compromise?

French labour unions were divided about the future of the social movement after the government offered to temporarily scrap a controversial part of its pension reform. plans.

13 January 2020

France

More protests to hit France as pension talks end without breakthrough

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said he would make "concrete proposals" on Saturday to end the deadlock with unions over the pension reform.

10 January 2020

No Comment

Protesting French lawyers say pension reform is 'attack on justice'

The lawyers' protest came after a day of demonstrations by opponents of a plan to sweep away France's 42 pension schemes in favour of a single system.

10 January 2020

France

Tens of thousands march in Paris against Macron's pension reforms

452,000 protesters hit the streets in France on Thursday as a transport strike entered its sixth week, according to Ministry of the Interior.

9 January 2020

World

French unions attempt to re-energise train strikes over pensions issue

With reports of train drivers going back to work, French unions are attempting to galvanise the strike as it approaches its sixth week.

8 January 2020

France

Macron under pressure as French strike heads for the record books

The strike is now the second-longest in French history and is on course to surpass the longest, which lasted for 28 days in the winter of 1986/87.

30 December 2019

No Comment

French pension strikers and Gilets Jaunes march on 24th day of action

Thousands of trade unionists and Gilets Jaunes marched together against the French government's planned pension reform on the 24th consecutive day of strikes.

29 December 2019

France

France strikes: Pension reform protest movement enters fourth week

Protests are planned at Paris' Gare de l'Est.

26 December 2019

France

France strikes: Unions vow to fight on over pension reform

40% of TGV and TER trains have been cancelled on Christmas Eve as transport workers protest pension reform.

19 December 2019

France

Macron will not abandon pension reforms but open to compromise

French President Emmanuel Macron says he won't abandon his government's controversial pension reforms but was open to compromise with unions.

18 December 2019

USA

Euroviews. Americans don't protest in the streets like the French do — yet ǀ View

Americans are increasingly striking and protesting for economic improvements, with support for unions reaching its highest level in decades.

17 December 2019

France

French unions warn no 'Christmas truce' in sight over strikes

Power was cut to 100,000 homes and offices, schools were closed, roads blocked and public transport crippled on Tuesday as protests were staged across France in support of the general strike over pension reform.

16 December 2019

France

France's transport strike to continue over holiday period

Labour union CGT said on Thursday there would be no break in transport strikes over the Christmas period unless the government backed down on pension reform.

12 December 2019

France

French PM Edouard Philippe unveils controversial new pensions system

The government is proposing to simplify the current system, which has 42 different pension schemes for workers depending on their profession. It comes amid crippling strikes by those opposed to the reform.

11 December 2019

France

How can France best reform its pensions system?

The French pensions system is complex: it is composed of 42 different systems, based on the specificities of each sector. Merging these into one "universal" points-based system was one of Macron's key campaign pledges. But how can it best be done?

10 December 2019

France

French pension reform commissioner in conflict of interest controversy

Delevoye said not disclosing his role was "a mistake" and an "omission by oversight".

9 December 2019

France

France braces for further travel chaos as pension strike continues

Only a fifth of high-speed trains and cross-country services are expected to run in France on Monday as strikes over President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform continue.

9 December 2019

France

French government defiant over pension reform despite strike

"I hear those who are exercising their legitimate right to strike and protest but I also hear those who are suffering or who are experiencing the unpleasant effects of this strike. The government is conscient of this," Philippe said on Friday.

6 December 2019

France

France braces for more chaos as strike enters day two

The strike that crippled public services in France enters a second day on Friday to force French President Emmanuel Macron drop the new retirement pay legislation.

4 December 2019

Portugal

Criticism over Portuguese taxation paradise for foreign pensioners

Portugal is often described as a pensioners tax paradise and maybe not unfairly as it offers tax breaks for those who move there from other countries

13 May 2019