On Thursday, major trade unions in France mobilized in over 100 locations against the government’s failure to address the issues of workers and youth. They also condemned the meager raise in minimum wage proposed for the year

CGT has also condemned the latest reforms in unemployment insurance at a time when unemployment is at the highest in 37 years.

On March 3, the French government invoked article 49.3 of the constitution to bypass parliament and approve the pension reforms proposed by Macron. Workers’ unions have been protesting for months against the reform that will affect their benefits

In the seventh national strike against the pension reforms, millions took part in protests in over 200 locations on January 24. Another national strike has been called for on January 29

The French government announced it would keep the retirement age at 62, but major unions in the country have called for massive mobilizations on 14, 15 and 16 January, to demand a complete rollback of the controversial pension reforms

Anas set himself alight outside the building that houses the regional student aid center in the city of Lyon. Anas’s suicide attempt was reported to be because of his dire financial situation.

With the new pension reforms, the French president Emmanuel Macron wants to introduce a centralized points-based pension system, integrating into one, the current 42 different pension systems for various professions in the country.