French government ‘very determined’ to implement new pension scheme: PM

Paris (AFP) – The French government is “very determined” to push ahead with its pensions reforms, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said on the second day of a crippling nationwide transport strike.

Philippe said the government would work with trade unions to introduce a single points-based pension scheme that would require the French to “work a bit longer” and replace dozens of more advantageous plans currently enjoyed by public sector workers. 

But Philippe emphasised that the changes, which he said would be unveiled on Wednesday, were going to be introduced “progressively, without harshness”.