“As long as this reform is not withdrawn, the resistance will continue in one way or another,” says Sophie Binet, who was elected the first female leader of the CGT, one of the unions leading three months of protests in France against Macron’s pension reform.
French President Emmanuel Macron signed his controversial pension reform into law, defying three months of protests and pleas from unions not to implement the legislation.
The alterations became law after the text was published overnight in France’s official journal. This followed the approval by the Constitutional Council of the essence of the legislation, including the banner change of raising the retirement age from 62 to 64.
Public protests continue in certain areas across the country. The participation of young people and women in the protests is predominant.
“This is a totally shameful decision,” Sophie Binet, who last month became the first female leader of the France’s hard-left CGT union, leading the protests against the pension reform, told Franceinfo radio. “He (Macron) has slammed the door in our face yet again.”
“Resistance will continue”
Born in 1982, Binet, a former school administrator, has led the UGICT union since 2018 and worked at the CGT on environment issues and gender equality.
“As long as this reform is not withdrawn, the resistance will continue in one way or another,” says Binet.
Binet, called for a “popular and historic tidal wave” of people on the streets to oppose the reforms on May 1.
Unions have called workers to turn out in force for marches on Labour Day on May 1. Binet said other actions would take place on April 20 and 28, while rail workers’ unions called for a day of “anger” on April 20.