Labor Minister Olivier Dussopt says he has “responded” to requests from reformist unions on the pension reform due to be unveiled on January 10, in particular on the hardship and employment of the elderly, in an interview with the Parisian Posted Wednesday night.
Using the terms of Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, Olivier Dussopt recalls that the legal retirement age of 65 is not “a taboo” and that restoring the balance of the system can also be achieved with “an age measure of 64, if it is accompanied by an acceleration “of the contribution period” to reach 43 more quickly”.
The government “responded to the demands” of the reformist unions, particularly the CFDT and CFTC, in terms of toughness, he also assures, referring to “the consideration of ergonomic risks (loads to be lifted, mechanical vibrations, etc. ) that will go through a “reinforced medical follow-up”. However, he acknowledges “a point of contention: the automaticity of early retirement without going through medical advice.”
However, the CFDT promises to oppose the reform in case of postponement of the retirement age. “64 years is also a brutal postponement of the legal retirement age, which nothing justifies (…) and therefore 64 years is also unacceptable,” Laurent Berger declared on Wednesday.
Towards the adoption of the text at the end of March
The government had also promised to act to improve the employment of the elderly, which Olivier Dussopt confirms by confirming the establishment of an “index, something on the gender equality model”, so that “companies make the place of employment transparent.” older people in their workforce. . “There will be an obligation to publicize. In case of lack of communication, there will be sanctions.”
Regarding the method, “there is a strong probability” that the pension reform “will go through a social security financing amending bill,” with the aim of being approved “until the end of March,” he said.
“The French are more reasonable than some trade unionists”
Received Tuesday and Wednesday by Elisabeth Borne for a final round of consultations before the announcements on the 10th, the union leaders unanimously expressed their rejection of lowering the legal age, be it 64 or 65, and promised to mobilize in the streets if the government does not back down on this point.
“The French are more reasonable than certain union and political leaders. Nobody wants a blockade,” reacted Olivier Dussopt, adding that “we must not take people for fools. The French understand perfectly what we must do.”
A statement that does not echo the latest surveys. According to an Elabe poll for BFMTV, only one in four French people is in favor of raising the retirement age.
Source: BFM TV
