The content of the letter is as full of meaning as the moment in which it is sent. On Monday, November 25, Labor Minister Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet wrote to the social partners to suggest that they open “discussions”during “the next few weeks”regarding pensions.
This initiative is the continuation of a commitment made by the Prime Minister, Michel Barnier, shortly after his appointment in Matignon on September 5. He had expressed his intention to “restart the dialogue” in order to” improve “ the reform enacted on April 14, 2023, which delayed the eligibility age for a pension from 62 to 64 years.
The date on which Mme Panosyan-Bouvet specifies that this promise by the Prime Minister is not trivial: the letter is sent to the unions and employers three days before the debates in the National Assembly on a bill defended by La France insoumise, which aims to repeal the norm 64 years old. .
“Fair adjustments”
The topics on which Mme Panosyan-Bouvet’s wishes had already been mentioned: the prevention of“professional clothing”, “taking into account equality between women and men”better “readability” of the system for people affiliated with various pension plans… But this list is not exhaustive. Other topics may be addressed, as indicated by the Minister of Labor in her letter, depending on the suggestions made by the parties present, during a “multilateral meeting” – that is, with all employee and employer organizations.
This meeting could take place before Christmas or, more likely, in early 2025, according to a union source, provided, obviously, that Barnier’s team has not been overthrown by a vote of no confidence in the meantime.
METROme Panosyan-Bouvet confirms the desire of those in power to provide “fair arrangements” to the 2023 reform takes care to mention that such. “adjustments” can only be carried out by guaranteeing ” preserve [l’]financial balance » of our pay-as-you-go system. A clarification that suggests, discreetly, that the Government is not in favor of questioning the change in the legal retirement age to 64 years.
