French pensioners protest loss in income due to new tax

PARIS – Thousands of retired workers are taking to the streets across France to protest against a new hike in a tax taken from their pensions.

Protests are planned in several cities around the country Thursday over the 1.7 per cent hike implemented in January.

The retirees will be joined by employees working in retirement homes, who are protesting degraded working conditions and want better wages.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who has faced protests from truckers, students and others, has responded to the issue by asking retired workers to “make a little effort for those who work.”

Speaking during a trip to the city of Tours on Wednesday, Macron said “we have lowered income taxes by 30 per cent so that working people can pay for your pensions.”