France pension protests: Macron calls on strikers not to ruin Christmas
French President Emmanuel Macron has
appealed to transport unions to suspend strikes that threaten travel
chaos over the Christmas holidays.
On a trip to Ivory Coast, Mr Macron suggested the strikers should "observe a truce out of respect for families and family life".Two weeks of strikes over planned pension reforms have caused widespread disruption across France.
Train operator SNCF said services would be "severely disrupted" over Christmas.
Half the usual number of high-speed TGV trains operated on Saturday, the company said, and half the metro lines in Paris were closed.
Many French citizens heading off to spend the holidays with family and friends have found themselves stranded because of cancelled trains and gridlocked roads. Hundreds of flights have also been cancelled.
Speaking in Abdijan alongside Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara, Mr Macron said strikers should embrace a "spirit of responsibility".
"Strike action is justifiable and protected by the constitution, but I believe there are moments in the life of a nation when it is also good to call a truce to respect families and the lives of families," he said.
President Macron wants to replace France's 42 separate pension regimes with a universal points-based pension system.
But workers say the reforms would see them retiring later or facing reduced payouts.
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