Economist Podcasts Not shy about retiring: strikes in France
Jan 31, 2023
Sophie Petter, the Paris bureau chief for The Economist, dives into the urgent labor protests in France as workers rally against pension reforms aimed at raising the retirement age from 62 to 64. She illustrates the deep-rooted opposition among the public and the crucial role of unions in this struggle. Additionally, Petter discusses the grim outlook for corporate earnings in the U.S., juxtaposing challenges in the tech sector with surprising successes elsewhere. The conversation also touches on shifting societal attitudes towards polyamory and the legal hurdles faced by non-traditional relationships.
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Mass Protests in France
- Over a million French workers protested pension reforms in two large-scale demonstrations.
- These are the largest protests since 2019 and challenge President Macron's reform agenda.
Pension Reform Challenge
- The protests involve workers from various sectors aiming to halt Macron's pension reforms.
- The reforms' fate will test Macron's ability to modernize France during his current term.
Unpopular Reform Measures
- The reforms include a minimum pension increase and credits for demanding jobs or early career starts.
- However, the key change is raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2030, a deeply unpopular move.