Another strike in France, how surprising....not!
France is probably one of the best examples of a Socialist country. During my three years spent there, there were aspects to their government that I found to be insane, but some that I liked. I liked the socialized health care, I didn't like the taxes and having to pay 5 euro for a small bottle of coke. The one thing that I absolutely loved was the public transportation. I loved being able to go anywhere I wanted anytime I wanted. Most people use the public transportation system to go to work, go to the mall, go to school etc. It's convienient and cheaper than buying a car ( not to mention more environmentally friendly!).
In the states we have snow days, in Paris, we had strike days. Days when the public transporation operators would strike for various reasons; mostly over money or the government.
I remember my mother telling me how frusterating it was to work there. She loved the people she worked with but she hated the way businesses were run. She always said "If you thought unions were bad in the States, you should see how they work here." The job security people have is mind blowing. It's almost impossible to fire a person, and if you do, it must be under extreme circumstances and with pay.
Currently there is a strike going on in France. Honestly, this doesn't surprise me. As much as I love the French, they solve everything by striking. Sarkozy is not the first to try and move away from high job security. Last year there was an uproar because Prime Minister Domnique de Villepin created a bill that would make it easier to hire and easier to fire people within the first two years of their employment.
The recent strikes are over retirement benefits. President Sarkozy wants to trim retirement benefits for utlity and public transportation workers. A CNN article says "The reforms focus on special pension plans which allow some workers -- mostly train drivers -- to retire as early as 50. " This in the states, is wonderful. Most people don't even think of retirement before the age of 60. The report also says, About 500,000 French employees, mostly in the transportation sector, qualify for this plan. The vast majority of France's 27 million workers do not."
A BBC report said, "He (Sarkozy) also promised to relax further the conditions of the 35-hour week. " Now, with only a 35 hour work week, with about 5 weeks of paid vacation, and as many sick days as you want, I think that retiring after the age of 50 should be a breeze. The report also says that his reasoning behind the trimming of retirement benefits is that France needs to work harder. "handouts discouraged people from working, and stressed his belief that France needed to work harder." (Republicans be proud)
I agree with that. The government provides so much for its people. I think it's time for the peopel to start giving back to the government.
sources:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21777493/
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/mar2006/gb20060321_896473....
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/11/14/france.strikes/index.html
