December 25, 2019

Anna Murray 

The SNCF, the Société nationale des chemins de fer français, is France's national state-owned railway company. Workers of SNCF and other unions have held continuous strikes since December 4 in protest against French President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform plans. The strike has lasted for more than 20 days.

In November, a study based on the existing pension systems, commissioned by French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, reported that the national pension deficit would reach €17.2 billion by 2025. Thus, President Macron earlier revealed his proposed plans to merge France's 42 different pension schemes into one simple system.

The strikes have disrupted Paris's major rail hubs such as Gare de l'Est and Gare du Nord during the Christmas holidays. International Eurostar services to London and Brussels were also seriously affected. Many commuters have to rely on bus services. The travel misery has kept France struggling with these crippling transport strikes.

Retirement rights are what the protesters want to fight for. The government and the unions have arranged to negotiate on January 7.

Photo:Webshot.