Political tensions, new protests over French pension bill

A broad alliance of unions has called for an eighth day of street protests across France since mid-January to contest Macron's plans to raise the retirement age by two years to 64.

Trade unions urging a show of force as Macron's pension overhaul neared its finale in parliament.
AFP

Trade unions urging a show of force as Macron's pension overhaul neared its finale in parliament.

Opponents of French President Emmanuel Macron’s pension plan are staging a new round of strikes and protests as a joint committee of senators and lower-house politicians examines the contested bill.

Meanwhile, unions are hoping that demonstrations across the country will further show workers' massive opposition to the plan, promoted by Macron as central to his vision for making the French economy more competitive.

Train drivers, school teachers, dock workers and others are expected to walk off the job on Wednesday. 

Thousands of tons of garbage is piling up on Paris sidewalks amid a continuing strike against the pension plan.

Public transport is expected to be disrupted, including high-speed, regional and Paris suburban trains. 

France's aviation authority, the DGAC, said 20 percent of the flights at Paris-Orly airport have been canceled, and warned about potential delays.

Workers in several oil refineries are also among those pursuing an open-ended strike launched last week.

READ MORE: Fight against Macron's pension plan to continue: French union leader

The latest step in the legislative process to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 is prompting a peak of political tensions and one key question: Will the bill command a parliamentary majority?

Wednesday’s meeting of seven senators and seven politicians from the National Assembly is meant to find an accord on the final version of the text. 

The Senate is expected to approve it on Thursday, as its conservative majority is in favour of raising the retirement age.

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