French President, Nicolas Sarkozy was elected with the mandate to bring change to the French labor laws. He told his countrymen what he was going to do to make France more competitive with other countries in the World. Among these things was a longer work week, the ability to fire newly hired employees if they were not "up to snuff" and the dissolution of "special pensions". The French signaled they were ready to change when they swept him into office by a wide margin. Now it seems that some French Unions are saying, "Ralentir (Not so fast)".
At issue are the "special pensions" enjoyed by some, but not all public sector workers. Currently, those working in jobs with these "special pensions" are able to retire at full benefits at the age of 50. President Sarkozy is pushing for a new retirement age for these workers of 52.5 years. This will bring their retirement age closer to that of the rest of the State workers. To put this in perspective, the retirement age for the US military can be as low as 37 with a 50% pension or 47 with a 75% pension. 20 and 30 year retirements are also offered in any federal law enforcement job. These are people with high-stress jobs where they put their lives on the line ... not rail workers and opera singers and actors like in France.
The good news is that most of the French populace is backing Sarkozy on this and 80% think that Sarkozy will stick to his guns and force the Union to capitulate. I hope he does, it will be good for the French people, and that is what they voted for during the last election.
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27 comments:
Paul
I have followed this issue. In my opinion Sarkozy will stick to his guns and "will do what he was elected to do" ... what a consept! Have a fine Texas evening.
cfs
Youre right Paul..he is a ray of hope however!
If all those changes take place, I doubt France still won't be anywhere near the top nations in worker productivity!
i dont know why but im not interested in europe :P
a ray of hope indeedz!
Keshi.
Paul,
I think it will be good for the French people too.
Have I told you lately that you really are my most favorite "insignificant blog in the internet"?
;)
Have a great night!
--snow
Ahh.. yes...
I'm w/ TLRB.
Except.. I haven't really been following it....
I agree, this is what the people voted for. Remember the riots and fires in France, two years in a row. I don't think Sarkozy would put up with that.
I knew I liked that guy!
Despite who the just elected, I afraid France is never going to change.
Read an article about Nicolas Sarkozy just last week and was duly impressed. Started to blog about it on Burning Zeal then skepticism creeped in. I hope he stands firm.
Really? the retirement age is so less around the world? That is incredible!
In India it is not less than 60 years plus they also get the benefit of a two year's extension!
I listened to him on his speech here. It was excellent....Much more forceful that his predecessor. i think he can do something for France, Time will tell. As far a them and the States are concerned. It's been quite a while ago that we as Americans were welcomed in France. Remember to begin with in WWII they were first not with us. This came later..Many Jews were shipped from France to Germany also......stay well.....
Sarkozy is good, the French people however may not share his enthusiasm for the U.S. That's his challenge!
Personally I think his up to it ... He is the 'ray of hope'.
where is paul-chan??
i might get expelled here but, i think socialism can really work if given a proper government.
Paul, it's almost that time, I am making the rounds to say Happy Thanksgiving!
Just dropped by the say Happy Thanksgiving. Have missed reading you this week. Stay well and safe.
Im not feeling very sassy today. maybe France had the right idea, hangin' out and waiting for "big Brother" to open the door?
~shakes head~
NAWWWWW
I was just kiddin'
Happy Turkey day!
Happy Thanksgiving
Okay shipmate, have a fine TEXAS day and have a happy thanksgiving there with family and friends.
cfs
Happy Thanksgiving, Paul!! :)
--snow
Happy Thanksgiving Champagne
I can't believe you haven't been pissed off enough to blog about something all week... Happy T-Day!
happy thanksgiving paul-chan!!
Happy Thanksgiving Paul!
Hi everyone, and Happy Thanksgiving!!
Sorry I haven't been around for the last week or so ... but General Motors just came out with their Red Tag Sales Event and someone had to figure out the prices and make sure that all 465 vehicles on the lot had the red tag in them and that someone was yours truely. I hope to be by everyones blog in the next day or two.
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