France’s prime minister said Wednesday that the full retirement age will be increased for the country’s youngest, but offered concessions in an ill-fated effort to calm a nationwide protest against pension reforms that critics say will erode the nation’s way of life.
The government is trying to make the pensions system sustainable and simpler but is facing public pressure, including a week of the most debilitating transport strikes in decades.
All metro lines bar two were closed and many train routes remained canceled as unions dug in their heels against President Emmanuel Macron, whom they accuse of shaping policies in favor of the rich.
Photo: AFP
照片:法新社
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe detailed the pension reforms in a speech on Wednesday in central Paris, saying that the French “will need to work longer.” People born after 1974 will have to work until the age of 64 to get a full pension, instead of 62 previously. Those born before that date will not be affected in any way, he said.
The system replaces a complicated pension system that included dozens of special privileges for some sectors, like public transport, with one set of rules for all.
Philippe said the changes would ensure the pension system is “fair and sustainable” in the face of a growing population with a record number of people over 90.
Photo: AFP
照片:法新社
Many French people and the unions leading the strikes fear the new system will force people to work longer for smaller pension allocations.
(AP)
法國總理週三宣布,政府將對國內最年輕的世代提高法定退休年齡,但同時也做出讓步,只是仍然無法平息全國各地針對年金改革的抗議。批評者認為,年金改革將侵蝕法國的生活方式。
Photo: Reuters
照片:路透
法國政府試圖讓該國的年金制度得以永續發展,並且將其簡化,卻同時面臨公眾壓力,包括持續一整個星期、堪稱數十年來影響最嚴重的交通運輸業大罷工。
地鐵全面停駛,只剩兩條路線仍在營運,許多火車班次繼續停開,因為工會下定決心拒絕向總統艾曼紐‧馬克宏妥協,他們指控馬克宏制定政策來圖利富人。
法國總理艾德華‧菲利普週三在巴黎的一場演講中詳細說明了年金改革制度,並表示法國人「將會必須工作久一點」。他指出,一九七四年之後出生的人將要工作到六十四歲才能領到全額年金,而非現行規定的六十二歲,而該日期之前出生的人將不會受到任何影響。
新制度將以一套全體適用的規則取代現行複雜的年金制度,現行制度中包含數十種給予大眾運輸等行業的特別優惠。
菲利普總理表示,面臨逐漸增加的人口、超過九十歲的人數破紀錄,這項改變將會確保年金制度「公平而且能夠永續維持」。
許多法國人,以及主導罷工的工會,都相當擔心這項新制度將會強迫人們工作得更久,最後卻只能換來較少的年金分配額。
(台北時報章厚明譯)
As the priest Antonius Hambroek stood in the dim chamber of Fort Zeelandia, his eldest daughter clung to him, her voice trembling. “Father, don’t go. They’ll kill you, and what will become of Mother and my sisters?” Outside, the sounds of Koxinga’s relentless canon siege boomed through the fortress. The defenders were on the brink of collapse. Starvation gnawed at their resolve, and the air carried the acrid stench of spent gunpowder and rotting flesh. Dutch reinforcements from Batavia had failed to arrive, leaving the garrison isolated and hopeless. Hambroek’s face was calm, though sorrow weighed heavily on his
As we bundle up in thick coats to stay warm during the winter, there is a population that has already adapted to extremely low temperatures. These people live in the remote city of Yakutsk, the coldest city on Earth. Yakutsk is situated in the heart of Siberia, which is the capital of the Sakha Republic in Russia. This historic mining city began to flourish in the 19th century following the discovery of gold deposits. Given its construction on permafrost, the average temperature in the city remains below 0°C for over half the year, with winter temperatures dropping to an astonishing -50°C.
A: Apart from 2NE1, Rain and Maroon 5, Japanese band Yoasobi is set to hold two shows in Taipei this weekend. B: Yoasobi? A: Yoasobi is a J-pop duo formed by Ayase and Ikura in 2019, and it’s loved by young people. Haven’t you heard? B: Oops, I’m feeling a little old. A: It sings the theme songs of “Oshi No Ko” (“My Idol’s Children”) and other TV series, leading it to gain popularity among young people. A: 除了2NE1、Rain、魔力紅,日本熱門樂團Yoasobi本週末也將連唱兩場。 B: Yoasobi樂團? A: 這是由Ayase、Ikura在2019年組成的雙人團體,近年來大受年輕人歡迎!你沒聽過嗎? B: 天啊我覺得自己老了。 A: 他們唱了《我推的孩子》等人氣影視作品主題曲,所以大受年輕人喜愛。 (By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times/台北時報張聖恩)
A: Happy Year of the Snake! Did you do anything special during the Lunar New Year holiday? B: I went to K-pop girl group Apink’s concert. How about you? A: I just stayed at home. But I’m going to girl group 2NE1’s show on Saturday. B: Wow, I really love their megahit “I Am the Best,” better known by its Korean title “Naega jeil jal naga.” A: I’m so glad that 2NE1 reunited last year, eight years after they disbanded in 2016. A: 蛇年快樂!你春節有做什麼特別活動嗎? B: 我去了南韓女團Apink的演唱會,你呢? A: 我都宅在家裡,不過這週六要去韓流天團2NE1的演唱會。 B: 我愛該團神曲《我最紅》,韓文歌名《Naega jeil jal naga》超洗腦。 A: 她們2016年解散8年後,去年終於合體真令人開心。 (By Eddy Chang, Taipei