All major French labor unions plan to strike 19 January 2023

Unions will jointly demonstrate against an increase in the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64 by 2030, as tentatively proposed this week by PM Elisabeth Borne.

A recent survey found that 80% of French people oppose this increase in the retirement age.

A combined strike of this magnitude last occurred in France more than 12 years ago, when the minimum retirement age was increased from 60 to 62. Strikers will include transport workers, public school teachers, government employees, truck drivers, bank employees, persons employed by theatres, and oil refinery workers.

Pension reform was a key component of President Emmanuel Macron's platform when he was first elected in 2017, and again when he was re-elected in 2022.

These strikes will have a very significant impact on travel, as everything from gas stations to trains will be shut down.