French unions rally in last-ditch bid to thwart pension reform

Paris, Mar 15 (EFE).- French unions staged a fresh round of rallies Wednesday in a last-minute bid to convince lawmakers to vote against pension reforms that would see the retirement age rise by two years to 64.

The bill was adopted by the Senate last weekend, and is currently being reviewed by a parliamentary committee before a vote that is expected on Thursday.

At a Paris protest the secretary general of the CFDT union, France’s largest, described the action as a “final call” from workers.

If the final text of the legislation fails to clear the lower and upper houses of parliament, the government appointed by French president Emmanuel Macron has the constitutional power to adopt it without a majority, although this opens up a period in which opposition parties can lodge no-confidence motions.

Berger called on the politicians to block the bill, which has sparked several rounds of protests and strikes in France.

Philippe Martínez, who heads the CGT, said the protests against the pension reform bill would continue even if it is approved. EFE

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