“it’s a good thing that François Bayrou realizes that there are other solutions” than the 64 years, welcomes the confederal secretary of FO

Michel Beaugas wants the Prime Minister to “completely review the basis for financing pensions and social security”. For him, the solution does not lie in raising the retirement age.

“It’s a good thing” that Prime Minister François Bayrou “realize that there are other solutions” that the starting age at 64 to finance the pay-as-you-go pension plan, estimated Thursday December 19 on franceinfo the confederal secretary of the Force Ouvrière (FO) union, Michel Beaugas.

On France 2, François Bayrou said he believed that there could be another solution for financing the pension system than postponing the age from 62 to 64, as in the contested reform which was adopted in 2023. “It is a good thing that the Prime Minister realizes what millions of French people said in the streets two years ago, that is to say that the solution is not in the retreat of retirement age”reacted the trade unionist.

“We must completely review the financing base for pensions and social security”argued Michel Beaugas, that is to say according to him “review all exemptions from contributions, because they are not completely compensated in the pension funds”.

“Those who are exempt are not the employees, they are the companies”he continued. “So yes, it’s been more than ten years in this country that companies have not participated in balancing the pension system”. “We are promised a long-term consultation, around nine months of discussion. The problem is that I don’t know if François Bayrou is nine months old”he finished, while affirming that“we must not bring up retirement with points again.”

If the CFDT prefers to wait for François Bayrou’s general policy speech to really make a decision, the CFTC for its part considers that resuming discussions on arduousness, long careers, equality between men and women or the retirement age would already be an interesting sign, she therefore says she is ready to participate, even without suspension of the reform adopted last year.

A less harsh position than that of the CGT which makes the repeal of the reform a prerequisite for any resumption of dialogue. But beyond these nuances, the unions remain unanimous in denouncing the gradual increase in the minimum starting age to 64 years instead of 62 previously.

However, this is precisely the emblematic point of the reform, even if there are exceptions for long careers and starting ages possible under certain conditions from 58 years old.