France comes to standstill as union workers take to streets over pension reform bill

France is expected to come to a standstill as workers across public transport and education sector among others go on fresh strikes and protests against a controversial pensions reform that would push back the retirement age for millions.

The new pensions bill will raise the retirement age to 64 from 62 which unions see as a broader threat to the French social model. Another change that will be incorporated is that citizens will have to work for 43 years, currently 42, to be able to avail a full pension.

Opinion polls suggest that most French voters are opposed to the bill which is under debate in the French Senate this week.

More than 250 protests are expected in Paris and around the country in what organisers hope is their biggest show of force yet against President Emmanuel Macron’s showcase legislation, after nearly two months of demonstrations.

Police expect 1.1 million to 1.4 million people to hit the streets Tuesday in more than 200 locations nationwide, a source has told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"I call on all the country's employees, citizens and retirees who are against the pensions reform to come out and protest en masse," the head of the CFDT union Laurent Berger told the France Inter radio station Monday.

"The president cannot remain deaf" to the protests, he added.

(agency inputs)

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