Predicted to bring the worst chaos to the city since 2007, workers turned protesters are presently fighting over a proposed radical reform of France’s pension system to standardize the system and do away with a raft of special regimes. With chaos running through the city’s grounds, these protesters have blocked, jammed, or simply forced authorities to close down the city’s public transportation modes until their voices are properly addressed. We are here today to bring you a closer look into what exactly is taking place in the world’s most popular tourism state.
Caught up in the strike
If you’re thinking of taking a trip to Paris, now it may not be a good time as most modes of public transportation are closed completely while the others are running a very reduced service. With ten of the city’s sixteen Metro lines forcefully shut down as well tram services and RER suburban lines badly disrupted, workers turned protesters are bringing to the city the worst chaos ever seen in yet another attempt to encourage officials to properly address pension reform.
Transport issues in Paris as workers strike
Walking might be a better option
With the worst disruption to the Paris public transport network in over a decade, Parisians are presently opting for safer options such as a bike, scooter, and foot in order to try and get to work. At rush hour on Friday morning, the pavements around Paris were packed with people heading to work by foot. With some Metro closed and other just operating a reduced service during rush hour, the roads were also busy with commuters heading to work by bike or by electric scooter.
Voice for change
The three main RATP labor unions have referred to the strike as a shot across the bow against President Emmanuel Macron’s pledge to implement a universal pension system that would do away with dozens of separate schemes for different professions. France’s state auditor, the Cour des Comptes, said the average retirement age for RATP workers in 2017 was 55.7, compared with 63 years for most French workers.
