New wave of strikes across France against raised retirement age

Organisers are hoping to exceed the turnout of the strike earlier this month, where over one million people showed up.

The strike is expected to hit public transport the hardest, where only one in two trains will be running nationally. Around half the flights at Orly airport outside Paris are to be cancelled, combined with 40% at Charles de Gaulle airport, and 40% at other airports throughout the country.

Despite Sarkozy’s burdens; already under attack by the EU for deporting Roma people and in the middle of a financial scandal, he said he will continue to press on with the reforms.

The pension reform bill has already been passed by France’s lower house of parliament, and will be debated by the upper house on 5 October, where it is expected to pass with ease.

France's retirement age is lower than many countries in Europe. Under current rules, both men and women in France can retire at 60, providing they have paid social security contributions for 40.5 years - although they are not entitled to a full pension until they are 65.

Unions and opposition politicians say the plan puts an unfair burden on workers, particularly women, part-timers and the former unemployed.