New strikes and protests as France unveils retirement bill

French President Emmanuel Macron’s signature reforms will streamline France’s 42 retirement systems into a single points-based system for all workers.

Protesters march during a demonstration in Paris

The Eiffel Tower has shut down as French unions held last-ditch strikes and protests around the country on the day the government unveils a divisive bill redesigning the national retirement system.

Travellers faced renewed disruption on regional trains and the Paris subway on the 50th straight day of record strikes, and some schools and other public services also faced walkouts.

The Eiffel Tower closed and the Versailles chateau and Louvre Museum warned visitors of potential disruptions.

The number of striking workers and halted trains dropped considerably this week after the government made a series of concessions.

Women perform a dance against French President Emmanuel Macron during a demonstration in Paris (Michel Euler/AP)

But unions hope Friday’s actions will revive opposition to President Emmanuel Macron’s signature reform.

Union activists gathered in eastern Paris and marched through other cities, hoping to derail the plan.

Mr Macron’s government is moving ahead with the plan anyway, presenting it at a cabinet meeting.

Then it goes to parliament, where Mr Macron’s centrist party has a large majority and is all but sure to approve it.

Mr Macron sees the changes as central to his plan to adapt France to the globalised 21st century economy.

A protester holds a mask of French President Emmanuel Macron during a demonstration in Paris (Michel Euler/AP)

He argues that the old system was unfair, outdated and too costly for a country with growing life expectancy.

Unions say the new plan threatens hard-won workers’ rights and will hurt the poorest workers.

The plan will streamline France’s 42 retirement systems into a single points-based system for all workers, public and private sector alike, and abolish special provisions allowing certain workers to retire as early as their fifties.

It will also introduce a minimum pension.

The government backed down on plans to raise the age to receive a full pension from 62 to 64, at least for now.

Teachers demonstrate against the proposed pension bill in Paris (Michel Euler/AP)

Instead, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe agreed to negotiate with unions starting next week on a way to make the new retirement system financially sustainable – and that is likely to require eventually raising the retirement age.

That is among many details that remain undecided and will be announced by the government later.

The government has also negotiated deals with various sectors – including pilots, members of the military and police – who will still be able to retire earlier than others.

The new points system will come into place starting in 2022 for the youngest workers, and then gradually for older workers.

It will only affect those born after 1974.