PARIS: Pensioners are opposed to a new hike in taxes on salaries and pensions that go towards France’s social security system. The measure will affect of France’s 15 million pensioners, who will pay roughly US$31 more every month.
According to , member of the they can’t afford the hike because the average monthly pension in France is only 1,300 euros, or US$1,600. This hike, they argue, adds to a hike in diesel prices and reductions in social welfare.
Pensioners, who are a critical voting block in France, argue an extra deduction in their pensions amounts will contribute to a further loss of purchasing power.
On Wednesday, approved a series of reforms to “prepare” France’s railways for foreign competition, scheduled to enter the country next year. The announcements led to the SNCF to warn the government they would launch a wave of strikes against what they call privatization. One rail worker told FranceTVInfo “Better three weeks of strikes than 30 years of privatization.”
The measures that affect workers and retirees have been adopted after the government reduced wealth and capital gains taxes, which has led many to argue is governing for the rich.
