More protests against French plan to raise retirement age

Hundreds of thousands of protesters were demonstrating in Paris and other French cities on Thursday against proposed pension changes that would push back the retirement age.

French workers would have to work longer before receiving a pension under the new rules; with the nominal retirement age rising from 62 to 64. In a country with an ageing population and growing life expectancy where everyone receives a state pension, Macron’s government has said the reform is the only way to keep the system solvent.

Unions have argued the pension overhaul threatens hard-fought rights, and have proposed a tax on the wealthy or more payroll contributions from employers to finance the pension system. Polls have suggested most French people also oppose the reform. President Emmanuel Macron has insisted he would press ahead with the proposed pension reforms.