Labor unrest over the French government’s proposal to extend the retirement age from 60 to 62 will continue, with a new strike being planned for Oct. 19. The Senate will vote on French President Nicholas Sarkozy’s bill Oct. 20.
The strikes have disrupted transportation, though the number of striking workers has declined, from 40 percent Tuesday to 25 percent on Wednesday, according to national rail company SNCF, as reported by Businessweek.
Workers at oil refineries have also been striking, with Total SA, the biggest refiner in Europe, having to halt operations in France, according to Bloomberg. The French government gave the go-ahead to tap into strategic fuel reserves so that the strikes do not cause shortage problems.
Sarkozy has adopted a stance of not negotiating this bill, which also includes changing the general retirement age from 65 to 67. France has one of the lowest retirement ages in the world.
The strikes have disrupted transportation, though the number of striking workers has declined, from 40 percent Tuesday to 25 percent on Wednesday, according to national rail company SNCF, as reported by Businessweek.
Workers at oil refineries have also been striking, with Total SA, the biggest refiner in Europe, having to halt operations in France, according to Bloomberg. The French government gave the go-ahead to tap into strategic fuel reserves so that the strikes do not cause shortage problems.
Sarkozy has adopted a stance of not negotiating this bill, which also includes changing the general retirement age from 65 to 67. France has one of the lowest retirement ages in the world.
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