Pension reform protesters clash with police in Paris

Paris saw more civil unrest on Saturday as police fired tear gas at protesters marching against planned government pension reforms.

Interunionists and yellow vests against pension reform rally in Paris.

Interunionists and yellow vests against pension reform rally in Paris. Source: ABACA

Police have fired tear gas at two key Parisian railway hubs as the latest demonstrations were held against plans to reform France's pension system.

The capital's busy Gare du Nord station, used by tourists taking the cross-channel Eurostar service, and at the Gare de l'Est, both saw minor clashes between protesters and authorities.

The demonstrators, who set fire to rubbish bins, included "Yellow Vests" anti-government activists, whose name is derived from the high-visibility jackets worn at their protests.
Interunionists and yellow vests demonstration against pension reform.
Interunionists and yellow vests demonstration against pension reform. Source: ABACA
Police also used tear gas in Paris's Bastille area, as demonstrators marched through the city.

President Emmanuel Macron has said reforms are essential to simplify the country's convoluted pensions system, but his opponents say they will mean many French people having to work for longer.

"People have to think a bit about what kind of society they want in general and, on a more personal level, whether you're 20, 30, 40 or 50, one day you'll retire," said Jean-Gabriel Maheo, an industrial technician who said he was in his 50s.
Police and gendarmerie supervise interunion and yellow vests demonstrations.
Police and gendarmerie supervise interunion and yellow vests demonstrations. Source: ABACA
"If the currently proposed system passes in the way it is laid out, it will be a social catastrophe. Already, the previous reforms are seeing people retire with measly pensions," added Maheo, taking part in the Paris demonstration.

Much of France has been crippled by a national transport strike since the pensions protests began a month ago. Another big nationwide demonstration is due on 9 January.


Share
Published 5 January 2020 6:36am
Updated 5 January 2020 11:39am


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world