During an interview on the program “Questions politiques” on France Inter, Marylise Léon, the general secretary of the CFDT, suggested that discussions on retirement reforms should include at least suspending the 2023 reform and avoiding an increase in the legal retirement age from 62 to 64 years old. This idea of a moratorium was proposed as discussions between the government and social partners are set to resume on this sensitive issue. The softened tone of Léon’s statements contrast with her previous declaration that a retirement age of 64 was a non-negotiable red line.
The CFDT leader emphasized the importance of addressing the issue of raising the age for pension eligibility as the primary concern in retirement reform discussions, particularly due to its impacts on women with more fragmented careers. She highlighted other important themes to be addressed, such as the impact of the work environment on retirement, the challenges faced by individuals affiliated with multiple pension systems, and gender-based pay inequalities that ultimately affect the amount of pensions received. Léon aims to demonstrate that the increase in the retirement age is the most unjust measure to be addressed.
As concerns about the budgetary implications of reversing the 64-year retirement age rule are raised by former government officials, Léon argued that this cost-related argument was being used as a shield. She advocated for a conference on public finances to identify solutions to handle the expenses associated with questioning the April 2023 law. Responding to the Far-Right party’s proposal to revoke the 2023 retirement reform, the CFDT general secretary distanced herself from this movement, emphasizing that the interests of the CFDT and the Rassemblement National are fundamentally different, with the latter focusing on national preference and inequality of rights.
The statements made by Léon during the interview represent a shift in her position on retirement reforms, signaling a willingness to engage in dialogue with the government and social partners to find a more balanced approach to the issue. By calling for a moratorium on the 2023 reform and highlighting the impact of raising the retirement age, she aims to address the unjust consequences of such measures, particularly on vulnerable groups like women with fragmented careers. Additionally, by emphasizing other key themes such as work organization, polypensioners, and gender-based pay disparities, Léon is advocating for a comprehensive approach to retirement reform that takes into account the diverse challenges faced by different groups in the workforce.
Overall, the interview with Marylise Léon sheds light on the complex and nuanced discussions surrounding retirement reforms in France, highlighting the need for a more inclusive and equitable approach to addressing the challenges faced by individuals in the workforce. As dialogue between the government and social partners resumes, the CFDT’s proposals for a moratorium and focus on key themes such as pénibilité, polypensionnés, and pay inequalities provide a framework for a more comprehensive and fair retirement reform that takes into account the diverse needs and circumstances of different groups. By engaging in constructive dialogue and advocating for a more just approach to retirement reforms, Léon’s statements offer a path towards addressing the critical issues faced by individuals in the retirement system.
