|
14-Apr-08 11:15 [Europe, Middle East and Africa]
Sarkozy aims to raise retirement age French president Nicolas Sarkozy's plans to raise the age of retirement have been met with disapproval from unions in the country.
As part of the reforms which are being proposed, most people in France will have to work an extra year in order to qualify for a full pension.
Bernard Thibault, the secretary general of the CGT union, told Le Parisien: "We have re-established contact with all the union organisations this week to lay down the foundations for a joint day of action in May."
He added that if the unions do not move fast on the matter, then the government will "ram this through".
In 2003, France raised the period of pension contribution for the majority of workers from 37.5 years to 40 years.
Mr Sarkozy was elected as president of France in 2007 and has recently made a visit to Britain. He has previously been minister of the interior in France.
The French parliament, led by president Nicolas Sarzoky, scrapped the 35-hour working week in the country in a major economic reform after a successful Senate vote on Wednesday.
Find out more>
Workers at German airline Lufthansa have walked out in a staged strike over pay issues.
Find out more>
Italy has introduced reforms to its employment and pension laws, following an agreement with the main employer's associations and trade unions.
Find out more>
|
