French horror as retirement age may rise to 62
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French unions, which are supported by three-quarters of the French people, this week took action against plans by President Sarkozy to change the retirement age of French workers from 60, to 62. Two million workers took to the streets and showed their determination to hang on to their state pension rights.
The French have always expected the state to provide – not only for their short working week, their excellent free schools and hospitals – but also their retirement. It’s what they pay taxes for.
Most people here do not contribute to private pensions. The vast majority rely on the state pension, and compulsory membership of industry schemes.
Change will not come easily or quickly.
Consider these figures from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development:
On average, a Frenchman will spend 135 minutes eating every day – his American and Canadian counterparts take just 50 minutes, and they are less obese and suffer less heart ailments.
The French get more sleep, and then there are those famously long summer holidays.
In August, French society heads for the hills, the beaches, the mountains. Anywhere but the office.
President Sarkozy will have a fight on his hands if he thinks these benefits for French working people will given up easily.
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Why oh why can’t a few more French come and live in England????
Holte I will be moving to France to retire and marry Sophie Marceau. You guys are welcome to come visit anytime!
Those people stick together. As a hard core union guy and believer in the welfare state, I wish Americans were more like them.
Here, here Oso, 100% with you.
Eh, my name tis Jasque Piscayne.
Silly peasant, have stolen my picture. Tis outrageous!!
Do you not know who I am? I did not think so….
Why am I typing in this outrageous accent?
Now go away before I taunt you again, American PigDog!
Pardonez moi monsieur Piscayne or madam, not quite sure.
Go away French Guy before I taunt you a second time, or make castanets out of your testicles already! Don’t you have a mime to watch?
Mother Hen, if that tis your real name
you uncultured swine cheez-whiz pigdog
you cannot know of the subtleties of the mime
next you’ll say that Jerry Lewis is not funny
I spit at your farty smelling velveta pepsi american corndogs