French workers stage nationwide strike over retirement age increase causing disruption to transport networks, oil refineries, and schools. The strike was called in protest of a retirement age increase, which was pushed through parliament by the French government without a vote.
Thursday marked the first day of coordinated action after sporadic demonstrations had previously occurred. This is the ninth day of strikes since the bill was introduced in January. Only two of the 14 Paris metro lines were operating as usual, and RER train services were severely reduced. Air traffic was also affected, with 30% of flights impacted at Paris Orly airport. Blockades were set up by unionized workers at two major oil refineries in Normandy and Fos-sur-Mer, causing pressure on kerosene stocks at Charles De Gaulle airport.
Despite the protests, President Emmanuel Macron's government did not back down and used a constitutional clause to bypass a vote and pass the legislation. The new law will raise the retirement age for most workers to 64, which is still one of the lowest in the industrialized world. The government defended the reform as necessary to keep the pension system funded, while opponents argue that France's generous pension system and early retirement have been a point of pride since they were introduced after World War II.