Unions in France are calling for a day of mass protests across the country on 1 May, following president Emmanuel Macron’s pension reforms becoming law.
Last week, France’s senior constitutional body cleared Macron’s controversial move to raise the state pension retirement age from 62 to 64 and extend the years of work required for a full pension. The Constitutional Council rejected opposition calls for a referendum on the reforms, as well as other proposals to force large companies to publish how many over-55s they employ and create a special contract for older workers.
In March the government used Article 49.3 of the constitution to force France’s parliament to pass the bill, provoking widespread protests and two failed no confidence votes.
Since the reform bill was published in January, at least 12 days of public demonstrations have been held against the changes.
French ministers insist the reforms are needed to avoid annual pension deficits, which are forecast to hit €13.5bn by 2027.
