The 2023 Mobilisation against Pension Reform in France: Some Elements of Analysis

Abstract

This article analyses the exceptional social movement that took place in France between January and June 2023 against the increase in the retirement age imposed by the government. The mobilisation took place within a unified framework that brought together all the trade unions and encouraged massive participation by workers. On several occasions, the demonstrations brought together more than three million people. However, although there were strong individual strikes, these did not develop into a general strike. This article explores these contradictions by looking at the various industrial relations reforms that have weakened union action in the workplace and now make it difficult to build strike action.