French gear for nationwide general strike to protest plans to raise min. retirement from 60 to 62.

[G_j]

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/141519.html

French unions gear for a nationwide general strike to protest President Nicolas Sarkozy's proposals to raise minimum retirement age from 60 to 62.


Public and private sector workers in France plan to stage a 24-hour strike on Tuesday which is expected to hit public transport, banks, air traffic and the postal service.

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to take part in the 190 marches planned in cities across France.

<snip>

The strike date falls on the same day that Sarkozy's embattled Labor Minister Eric Woerth presents the pension reform bill to the parliament.

The pension plans, which are a cornerstone of Sarkozy's economic reforms, would also lift the age for full pension payments from 65 to 67.

..more..

[Glidescube2]

1. While I am whole heartedly with them in sprirt

I have to say that I can only wish we in America had it as good as the French do.

[BeFree]

2. yeah

I guess it is because they demand it and we don't?

They get off their asses and go for it?

[Glidescube2]

6. Thats because the shit hasnt hit the fan yet

We have not had our Marie Antoinette moment yet. But its coming along like a runaway freight train. Sooner or later we will have our cake and eat it too. LOL!!!

[BeyondGeography]

3. Admirable

And not just for show, either. Sarko's really sticking his face in the lawn mower on this one.

[CoffeeCat]

4. meanwhile back in the United States...

...politicians prepare to raise the retirement age to 105 and Americans scratch their
hineys while watching Idol.

[snot]

5. Anyone know the retirement age in Germany?

[G_j]

7. statutory retirement age in Germany is 65

http://www.france24.com/en/20100412-pension-reform-europe-retirement-age-france-germany-britain-sweden



<snip>

The statutory retirement age in Germany is 65. Recent reforms will increase the retirement age to 67 by 2029.

UK
With a slightly more favourable demographic development than the EU as a whole, the statutory retirement age is set at 65 for men and 60 for women.

Current reforms have slated a new retirement age for women from 60 to 65 by 2020 and 68 for both sexes by 2046.

SPAIN
Spain faces one of world’s most severe demographic challenges, with almost one in three Spaniards over 65 by 2049, according to government estimates.

The retirement age is currently 65 for both men and women. While early retirement is possible at 60, pension payments are substantially reduced in this case.

The ruling Socialist government has adopted legislation to raise the retirement age to 67, with the reform to be introduced gradually from 2013.

NETHERLANDS
The retirement age in the Netherlands is 65. The Dutch government has decided to raise it gradually to 67 by 2025.

ITALY
Italy’s current retirement age is 65 for men and 60 for women, but since the length of contribution also counts, actual exit ages can be considerably lower.

Legislation adopted in 2007 marks the minimum retirement age at 60 in 2011 and 61 in 2013.


...more..

[Hannah Bell]

8. k&r for the push-back.

[G_j]

9. Strikes in France, London Foreshadow More Protests

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/09/07-6

Published on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 by Associated Press

Strikes in France, London Foreshadow More Protests

by Angela Doland

PARIS - French strikers disrupted trains and planes, hospitals and mail delivery Tuesday amid massive street protests over plans to raise the retirement age. Across the English Channel, London subway workers unhappy with staff cuts walked off the job.

French workers demonstrate in Marseille on Tuesday against government plans for pension changes. (Jean-Paul Pelissier/Reuters)
The protests look like the prelude to a season of strikes in Europe, from Spain to the Czech Republic, as heavily indebted governments cut costs and chip away at some cherished but costly benefits that underpin the European good life - a scaling-back process that has gained urgency with Greece's euro110 billion ($140 billion) bailout.

In France, where people poured into the streets in 220 cities, setting off flares and beating drums, a banner in the southern port city of Marseille called for Europe-wide solidarity: "Let's Refuse Austerity Plans!" The Interior Ministry said more than 1.1 million people demonstrated throughout France, while the CFDT union put the number at 2.5 million.

..more..

[blindpig]

10. I hope someone is taking notes...

This is how it's done.

[Fumesucker]

11. But I might miss my vote for American Idol if I go to a protest..

Wouldn't you rather have people voting?

[blindpig]

14. This first...

votes later.

[Darth_Kitten]

12. People are living longer....I'm sorry, but I can't be against raising it to...62?

Gee whiz....believe it or not, retirement can be expensive.

I know mine will be....I want to travel and do fun things....which means I'll be working until I'm 75 or 80, no doubt.

[Fumesucker]

13. The vast majority of the extension of average life expectancy ..

Is due to fewer children dying young.

Old people aren't living much longer at all than they were twenty or thirty years ago.

[Lost4words]

16. wow do you live in a snow-globe?

what if, God forbid, you die of cancer at 58? Better do the things you want while you are young, dont put them off.

the longer people are required to be in the workforce until retirement will mean fewer jobs will be available for ones interring the workforce.

Its all connected,.... It isnt going to effect only those of retirement age, it will effect the entire spectrum of workers +/-.

[KamaAina]

17. Freudian Post O' The Month!

interring the workforce is what the corporatists -- in both parties -- have been doing at least since NAFTA, making entering the workforce damn near impossible. :-)

[Lost4words]

19. exactly, I agree! If I wasnt clear Im sorry,.....nt

[Lost4words]

20. my dupe, sorry

[Lost4words]

22. self delete

[Darth_Kitten]

18. Do you or do you just like making judgments about people?

Geez, relax.

Who says I'm not doing fun things NOW?

[Lost4words]

21. ok Touchy, who did I make a judgement about?

all I did was some friendly old person advice. I am sorry I offered you the benefit of my life experience, If I had waited until retirement, (which I will never experience now) I'd never get the chance. Trust me, the South of France is to die for, the people the food the country, and you get to experience different cultures. Its eye opening to say the least.

the snow globe remark wasnt a judgement it was an attempt at humor, you know, funny ha ha!

Do what you want and take your own advice "Geez, relax.

[Starry Messenger]

15. k & r