Nationwide strikes in France protest Macron’s pension reforms

Protesters gathered in huge numbers in cities across Paris on Thursday, upset over the government’s plans to raise the retirement age to 64. The protests in Paris and other French cities were accompanied by work stoppages, a major test for President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform plan, which polls show is hugely unpopular. Macron’s plan to push back the retirement age by two years and extend the pay-in period would bring an additional 17.7 billion euros (US$19.1 billion) in annual pension contributions, allowing the system to break even by 2027, the Labour Ministry estimates. Union leaders, expected to announce additional strikes and protests in the evening, said Thursday was just the beginning. For more info, please go to Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: Like Global News on Facebook HERE: Follow Global News on Twitter HERE: