The World Socialist Website
written by Kumaran Ira
Thursday October 14, 2010
On October 12, millions of workers and students took to the streets across France to protest against President Nicolas Sarkozy's pension cuts. Virtually every industrial area, in the private and public sector, went on strike. The trade unions estimated that up to 3.5 million protesters marched in 250 demonstrations throughout France.
The October 12 protest was the fourth and largest action against pension cuts since the beginning of September. Another day of protest has been called for Saturday by the unions. The protest was called by France's main unions, notably by the Stalinist-linked CGT (General Confederation of Labour) and the Socialist Party-linked CFDT (French Democratic Confederation of Labour). Students participated in large numbers this time, with over 300 high schools going on strike.
The pension cuts include increasing the minimum retirement age from 60 to 62, and the age for retiring on a full pension from 65 to 67. The protests took place after the French Senate had already approved these two key measures; the debate on the entire bill will finish by the end of this month.
The economy is still threatened by an ongoing port strike in Marseille, which has left dozens of petrol tankers unable to offload, threatening fuel shortages. Eleven of mainland France's 12 refineries are affected. Some sectors have voted continuing strike action, including public transport and energy.
Despite the record turnout and mass public support—one poll found 69 percent support for the strikes—the government has pledged to stand firm. It is relying on the unions to prevent rising discontent and militancy in the working class from finding politically effective expression.
On October 13, Sarkozy ruled out any concession on the pension reform: “It’s normal that this reform makes some people unhappy. But in a few years, people will realize that we saved the pensions system.”
WSWS supporters intervened in several demonstrations around the country, distributing a leaflet titled “The struggle against social austerity requires a new socialist perspective.”
Demonstrators expressed their anger against the cuts and called for continuing the strikes until the government withdraws the bill.
In Marseille, dockers and agents of the autonomous port participated in the demonstration along with nurses and social security officials. Very few people came individually. WSWS supporters noted that people attended the demonstrations out of a feeling of obligation, sensing that one-day mobilizations would not suffice to halt the cuts.
Davoux, a railway worker and member of the SUD unions, said, “Sarkozy is attacking our social gains, we must defend them. France is wealthy enough to fund retirements. The government is very firm in refusing to negotiate.
We have to extend the strike, so the government makes real concessions—the goal is to maintain the retirement age at 60. A general strike would FORCE the government to negotiate. We must mobilize the private sector; the problem is that they fear being fired and losing wages when they go on strike.
No comments:
Post a Comment