Pension reform: recourse to article 49.3 can “set fire to the powder”, considers Philippe Martinez

Philippe Martinez, secretary general of the CGT, was the guest of “4 Truths” on France 2, Thursday March 9. He first returned to the adoption by the senators of article 7 of the pension reform, which provides for the postponement of the legal age of departure from 62 to 64 years. “It does not change anything in the determination and mobilization”did he declare. Asked about a possible recourse by the government to article 49.3 to pass his reform, Philippe Martinez estimated that“adopt such a reform that affects the daily lives of citizens in this way” can “set fire to the powder”. “It means that, for the citizens, it is an anger that will grow”he added.

“France is largely slowed down, and it will continue”

The secretary general of the CGT then returned to the sixth day of mobilization against the pension reform, which was held on March 7, and to the continuation of the movement. “France is largely slowed down, and it will continue. It can only get worse if we continue to have so much indifference and so much contempt on the side of power”he estimated.

The next two days of mobilization against the reform are scheduled for March 11 and 15. March 15 is the date on which the joint parity commission must meet. But “if the mixed parity committee is on the 16th, we will [des journées de mobilisation] 15 and 16″ March, assured Philippe Martinez.