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French Strike Over Pension Reform Enters Second Day

VOA News

   A nationwide strike about planned pension reforms that has paralyzed
   most of France enters its second day Friday.

   Concern that the proposed pension overhaul would force millions of
   people to work longer or have less lucrative benefits has prompted the
   strike, bringing much of the country to a halt.

   Tens of thousands of workers in France walked off the job Thursday as
   unions staged a nationwide strike against President Emmanuel Macron's
   plan to reform the country's pension system.

   The strike shut down transportation, forced most schools to close, left
   hospitals understaffed and basic government services unmet.

   Largely peaceful demonstrations were held in Paris and in more than two
   dozen cities throughout the country.

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