If you’ve been following the international news, you’ll probably know that Belgium went without a proper government for over 500 days. A ‘government of current affairs’ that in 2009 had ‘fallen’ over language-related issues stayed at the helm for one and a half year, trying to keep the country out of stormy international waters. It must be said that they were rather successful and in the end everybody was beginning to wonder whether we actually needed a new government. Especially as the coalition of initially eight and later six political parties that had been trying to form a new government didn’t seem to make any progress. It wasn’t until the international rating bureaus Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s lowered Belgium’s rating, that the negotiators realized that they were toying with the country’s (and its population’s) future.
Despite de national strike, no traffic jams on this quiet country lane.
Apart from the language issues, the budget and the savings imposed by ‘Europe’ proved to be problems that were hard to crack, especially as the left and the right wing parties had completely opposite views on matters like employment, retirement, taxes, etc. Everybody knows that our social security system - which is very generous and therefore subject to a lot of abuse – is threatened and requires a serious reform. I’ll spare you the details, but the touchiest issue was the legal retirement age. Under the current legislation it is in some exceptional cases possible to retire at the age of 55. The average nowadays is 59, while the legal retirement age is 65. A career of minimum 35 years is required to enjoy full pension benefits.
Before the end of this year (2011) the new government wants the parliament to vote a law gradually increasing the minimum age to 62 by 2017 and a minimum career of 40 year to be entitled to the same benefits. It goes without saying that the Trade Unions are extremely upset, especially as the minister in charge refuses to negotiate the terms of the new law with them. As a result the civil servants have gone on strike today and the whole country has come to a standstill … except for people like me who work in the private sector.
There are no trains, buses, trams or metros. Village and town halls are closed, public hospitals and fire stations are running on weekend roster. Schools are closed or only provide limited daycare facilities. The different national radio and television channels are broadcasting a unique program. Postmen are not supposed to deliver any mail today, but apparently 80% of them have ignored the orders of the Trade Unions. And so did my loyal postman Wim. He didn’t bring any Christmas cards though. So I’m somewhat disappointed!
Several of my colleagues didn’t show up today, because of the lack of public transport. And traffic was denser as usual, with more people using their car to get to work. Two busy roads into Brussels were blocked this morning by angry Trade Unionists.
Public opinion is much divided over the strike. Left wing supporters refuse to accept the much needed changes, while centre and right wing followers realize that they are inevitable to protect the continuity of the welfare state for future generations.
How do these changes affect me? I will probably have to work till 60, or even maybe 62 or 63, instead of the expected age of 58. And I know that I will be paying more taxes. So for the time being, I’ll put my dreams of moving to France in the bottom drawer of the freezer, hoping that they will keep for another 5 to 8 years!
P.S. I just noticed that this is my 700th post. Hmmm, that calls for a celebration!
8 comments:
Congratulations on your 700th post....I remember your first one !!
Bon courage, Martine. C'est partout pareil, n'est-ce pas ? Et puis moi, avec mon gros rhume et mal de gorge, je ne suis pas l'homme le plus optimiste en ce moment.
Striking is always a difficult issue to resolve. A few weeks ago I was on strike for the first time I can remember.
I think we all understand that reforms are necessary, but its the pace and extent. Like many people I stand to work longer, pay more and get less. Two out of three I can stomach, but not all three. My state pension won't be payable until I am 66 and my work pension I have to work for 40 years to get full benefit.
Still we are all in this together and private pensions haven't preformed well either.
The only cast iron pensions seem to be the ones our members of parliament pay in to!!
Congratulations on your first 700!
France will still be there in 2017. I promise.
Your Friend, m.
p.s. Happy 700th!
m.
Martine you are a wonderful optimist. As we say in Australia..." hang in there". Governments change policies, often depending on the wind blowing around them. And France will remain...
I've enjoyed every one I read. Thanks for taking the time to write them.
Congrats for the 700th! Who would have known?
WV is ovath. Short for ovat[h]ion?
Jean, So do I! And I also remember that you were my very first follower! Thank you for that.
Ken, Cheer up! You'll feel better after that drop of Citroenjenever, which btw isn't the same as Elixir d'Anvers. The Elixir is yellow and sticky, the jenever is transparant and has pieces of lemon floating in it. But they both do the trick. Get well soon.
Gaynor, Same here. MPs only need twenty years to enjoy full benefits. Maybe I should consider going into politics ;)!
Mark, I count on you to protect France against potential enemies :))!
Louise, What's the use of complaining. We are in no position to change things. There is one way out though: winning the lottery!
Bob, I've enjoyed writing them and reading the many comments and making new friends through my blog.
Chm, If I had known what I was getting myself into. No, I'm just kidding, because it was/is very enriching in many ways. Make that a standing ovation! :)
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