There will be no backtracking on the plan to raise the retirement age in France, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said on Sunday, as unions prepared for another day of mass protests and strikes against the reform.
A reform package pushed by President Emmanuel Macron will mean the minimum retirement age moves to 64 from 62 as part of plans to ensure the future financing of France's pensions system.
The French government signalled there was wiggle room on some measures after union protests against the change sent more than a million people into the streets across the country on January 19.
They included special deals for people who started working very young, and provisions for mothers who interrupted their careers to look after their children and for people who invested in further education.
But the headline age limit of 64 is not up for discussion, Ms Borne said on Sunday.
"This is now non-negotiable," she told the FranceInfo broadcaster.
While unions have welcomed the government's readiness for negotiation on parts of the plan, they say the proposed 64-year rule has to go.
Calling the reform "unfair", France's eight major unions, in a rare show of unity, said they hoped to "mobilise even more massively" on Tuesday, their next scheduled protest day.
On that occasion, the government put the turnout at 1.1 million, while the unions said more than two million.
"It's looking like there will be even more people," said Celine Verzeletti, member of the hard-left union CGT's confederation leadership.
Laurent Berger, head of the moderate CFDT union, said opinion polls showed "the people disagree strongly with the project, and that view is gaining ground".
It would be "a mistake" for the government to ignore the protesters, Mr Berger warned.
Communist party leader Fabien Roussel called Ms Borne's remark "a provocation", saying she was "blinkered" and her government "inflexible".
Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally, repeated her opposition to the government's "unjust and brutal" plans.
Unions and the government both consider Tuesday's protests to be a major test.
About 200 protests are being organised countrywide, with a major march planned for Paris culminating in a demonstration outside the National Assembly, where parliamentary committees will start examining the draft law on Monday.
The left-wing opposition has submitted more than 7,000 amendments to the draft to try to slow its path through Parliament.
Mr Macron's allies, short of an absolute majority in Parliament, will need votes from conservatives to have their pensions plan approved.
The government has the option of forcing the bill through without a vote under special constitutional powers, but that risks a vote of no confidence, and possibly new parliamentary elections.
On Sunday evening, Ms Borne met several of her ministers and senior government officials to discuss how to proceed.
Unions have called for widespread strike action for Tuesday, with railway services and other public transport expected to be heavily affected.
Stopworks are also expected in schools and administrations, with some local authorities having already announced closures of public spaces such as sports stadiums.
For people using public transport, Tuesday will be "difficult, or even very difficult", Transport Minister Clement Beaune said Sunday, calling on commuters to postpone trips and work from home where possible.
Some unions have called for more strike action in February, including at commercial ports, refineries and power stations.
Observers say the unions are playing for high stakes and any slackening of support on Tuesday could be fatal for their momentum.
"They have placed the bar high," said Dominique Andolfatto, a professor of political science. "They can't afford any missteps."
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
The specs: 2018 Kia Picanto
Price: From Dh39,500
Engine: 1.2L inline four-cylinder
Transmission: Four-speed auto
Power: 86hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 122Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.0L / 100km
Australia men's Test cricket fixtures 2021/22
One-off Test v Afghanistan:
Nov 27-Dec 1: Blundstone Arena, Hobart
The Ashes v England:
Dec 8-12: 1st Test, Gabba, Brisbane
Dec 16-20: 2nd Test, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (day/night)
Dec 26-30: 3rd Test, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Jan 5-9, 2022: 4th Test, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Jan 14-18: 5th Test, Optus Stadium, Perth
Race card for Super Saturday
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dh918,125) (Dirt) 1,900m.
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m.
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m.
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m.
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m.
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m.
7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m.
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m, Winner: ES Rubban, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ibrahim Aseel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,200m, Winner: Al Mobher, Sczcepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: Jabalini, Tadhg O’Shea, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: AF Abahe, Tadgh O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: AF Makerah, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Law Of Peace, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Rocketman
Director: Dexter Fletcher
Starring: Taron Egerton, Richard Madden, Jamie Bell
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
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Married Malala
Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.
The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.
Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.
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The five pillars of Islam
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Sri Lanka squad for tri-nation series
Angelo Mathews (c), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Janith Perera, Thisara Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Shehan Madushanka, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan and Wanidu Hasaranga
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