The law on changing the retirement age in France from 62 to 64, passed this Saturday by President Emmanuel Macron, will come into force on September 1, the government said.
“The date of September has been chosen,” government spokesman Olivier Veran told TF1, quoted by the Spanish news agency Europa Press.
Veran said the increase in the retirement age would be gradual.
“At the end [atual] five-year term will be 63. Will have to wait until the next five-year presidential term [para que seja elevada para 64]”, he decided.
Despite having 15 days to do so, Macron promulgated the law this Saturday at dawn, allowing it to be published in the Official Journal in the morning.
Véran said the government “needs to move forward peacefully with the French and the social partners.”
“The adoption of this law does not contradict,” he said.
The reform promoted by Macron against the will of the unions was challenged in the streets, sometimes with violence.
“The last few weeks have been difficult for many French people,” Véran admitted, defending “the need for pacification in the country.”
A government spokesman added that Macron would “immediately contact” trade unions for dialogue.
Trade unions are the main organizers of the demonstrations of recent weeks against pension reform.
Trade union leaders have warned they will not sit down to negotiate unless the initiative, which has now been made into law after being published in the Official Journal of the French Republic, is withdrawn.
Macron will address the country on Monday at 20:00 in Paris (19:00 in Lisbon).
Trade unions and leftists accused the head of state of provocation for this quick decision taken in the middle of the night.
Representatives of the workers rejected the invitation of the President of the Republic to a meeting on Tuesday, April 18, according to the Spanish agency EFE.
Although he censored six articles, the Constitutional Council approved most of the reform.
The court found that the law is consistent with the Constitution, as it takes into account measures to preserve the pension system and increase life expectancy.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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