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French General Strike


Randonneur

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Vernon B - 2010-09-15 12:24 PM

 

It's sometimes difficult to know if the French are on strike or not, but I suppose they'll make sure the action is effective around the channel ports as usual.

 

V

 

Probably best not to describe it as a 'general' strike. It is mainly confined to the public sector so it is mainly likely to affect transportation in the public sector and schools. Talking to some French private sector folk we know we find they are getting extremely fed up with these public sector people with good pensions.

 

The main reason for the strike is the attempt to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62.

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Great that many French people are prepared to stand up and fight changes to state pension age. Why should ordinary people have to pay for mistakes of the "bankers" who still seem to be enjoying large bonus payments? Increasing the retirement age means many people both here and in France will have to wait longer to enjoy motorhoming to the full. So let's support the French people prepared to fight the retirement age going up to 62, never mind 70 talked about here!
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robertandjean - 2010-09-15 8:22 PM

 

Great that many French people are prepared to stand up and fight changes to state pension age. Why should ordinary people have to pay for mistakes of the "bankers" who still seem to be enjoying large bonus payments? Increasing the retirement age means many people both here and in France will have to wait longer to enjoy motorhoming to the full. So let's support the French people prepared to fight the retirement age going up to 62, never mind 70 talked about here!

 

I fear you conflate two problems here. The failure of government to properly regulate the banking sector in part because was enjoying the boom and spending profligately is one. The second is longevity: with an ageing population the current system of retiring young and having an unfunded pension to enjoy whatever needs reform and hence the need to raise retirement age.

 

Unless as I challenged you in a previous post you know of another solution......

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Mike88 - 2010-09-15 9:39 PM

 

There is a lot of misunderstanding - and dare I say envy - about public sector pensions in France and indeed the UK.

 

The bottom line is that if people have contributed to a pension for x number of years they are entitled to the benefits.

 

Sadly many of these pensions are 'unfunded' and work on the basis that the number of people in work will carry on expanding to pay for the increased demands from the pensioners who are living longer.

 

To me NI seems a giant PONZI scheme -folk think they are paying for their future when the reality is they are paying for todays pensioners.

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ian81 - 2010-09-15 7:54 PM

 

robertandjean - 2010-09-15 8:22 PM

 

Great that many French people are prepared to stand up and fight changes to state pension age. Why should ordinary people have to pay for mistakes of the "bankers" who still seem to be enjoying large bonus payments? Increasing the retirement age means many people both here and in France will have to wait longer to enjoy motorhoming to the full. So let's support the French people prepared to fight the retirement age going up to 62, never mind 70 talked about here!

 

I fear you conflate two problems here. The failure of government to properly regulate the banking sector in part because was enjoying the boom and spending profligately is one. The second is longevity: with an ageing population the current system of retiring young and having an unfunded pension to enjoy whatever needs reform and hence the need to raise retirement age.

 

Unless as I challenged you in a previous post you know of another solution......

 

Yes there is another solution and it is in three parts. One raise taxes/N I contributions on those on over £50 000/year, clamp down on tax evaision avoidence schemes that mean many of these bankers etc pay little tax, and stop spending billions on projects sush as Trident. Why should people who have worked hard all their lives not enjoy a good retirement from a sensible age so that they can spend time in motorhome?

Just had another thought, we could always follow French example and make our retirement age 62!

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robertandjean -

 

 

 

Yes there is another solution and it is in three parts. One raise taxes/N I contributions on those on over £50 000/year, clamp down on tax evaision avoidence schemes that mean many of these bankers etc pay little tax, and stop spending billions on projects sush as Trident. Why should people who have worked hard all their lives not enjoy a good retirement from a sensible age so that they can spend time in motorhome?

Just had another thought, we could always follow French example and make our retirement age 62!

 

Sadly I fear this wont work and the last thought is IMHO totally unrealistic:

Many of those earning over 50000 would simply move to another more beneficial tax jurisdiction. Likewise with the bankers -there is already some evidence of jobs leaving the city.

 

Although I am in favour of greater emphasis on clamping down on tax evasion and reducing military expenditure the revenues potentially raised will do little to stave off the ageing population issue.

 

 

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The problem is due entirely to successive governments not setting aside the sums collected in NI contributions and superranuation receipts to pay pensions as they fall due.

 

I'm also rather surprised that anybody could think that £50,000 is an income that should be targeted for additional taxation when many on here (not me) have motorhomes with a value far exceeding that figure.

 

£50,000 is not a huge sum these days especially for families that have large mortgages and need to live in areas where there is work and ineviatbly high house prices.

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mondo - 2010-09-16 8:19 PM

 

Lets face it you have to hand it to these French Chappies..at least they stick together..Unlike ourselves who just roll over and accept

 

.....just display all this bonhommie towards the French to fellow motorhomers who get stuck waiting for a blockade or strike to end so they can travel.

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John.N - 2010-09-17 8:33 AM

 

Randonneur, your original post was very welcome and is just what this forum should be about. What I object to is the way that some members hi-jack the forum for tub-thumping on subjects totally unconnected with motorhoming activities.

Yes it's a fair cop, we are the main guilty party here. Will try to keep future posts regarding France to info about, and support for, the aires network. (We are likely to get caught up in the strike action at some point as heading back to France for a month or so shortly; but not worrying as part of life in France).

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