Garbage strikes and retirement reform

The principle of a strike is noble: fighting for better work conditions by stepping off the job and shaking up the routine, thereby forcing employers to give way. But for those of us not directly affected, when we find our routines shaken up by the protests, our support of this principle may be put to the test. 

Here in Paris, garbage collectors have been on strike since March 7. They are striking for higher wages but also as part of much wider strikes and demonstrations against a recently passed law that concerns retirement benefits. 

I myself have no opinion on the new retirement law. I am familiar with social security and retirement benefits in the US and Turkey, but not the program here in France, which seems incredibly complex. Since I don't receive French retirement benefits, never having worked here, I have no motivation to find out what the details are – apart from obtaining some understanding about why people are so worked up over what seems from the outside like a small change: full benefits can be claimed at age 64 instead of 62. And people are indeed worked up. Strikes and demonstrations have been going on since January, well before the law was brought up in the National Assembly and the Senate, with the aim of forcing the government to withdraw it. 

The government claims the new law is needed in order to secure the financing of retirement pensions in the future, because people live longer. The opponents have not proposed any other solution to the problem of financing the retirement program, as far as I know, but are simply protesting this change. 

The vehemence of the demonstrations is fueled also by a dislike of Emmanuel Macron, the president. He has been tone-deaf about reactions to this new law, insisting that his view is absolutely correct, not admitting in any way that perhaps other avenues might be explored. There is nothing wrong with being decisive – a leader needs to have this quality – but politics often requires some flexibility (or at least a pretense of flexibility). We're at an impasse: the demonstrators want the law retracted, but will relish the take-down of Macron if he does so. Convinced of the the necessity of this law, and not wanting to cede to the mob (as he views the demonstrators and strikers), Macron will hold firm.

Our streets are now filled with garbage. In my street, the concierges (those responsible for the daily upkeep of apartment buildings) have made a big effort to keep the garbage bins and added bags as tidy as possible. 

Green lids = kitchen garbage.  Yellow lids = recyclable paper, metal, etc.

Elsewhere, near restaurants (like our local KFC), hotels, or very big residential complexes, the garbage can be overflowing. 

Rats are no doubt having a field day. And a few flies have made it up to my apartment, a rare occurrence, especially for this time of the year. 

The city's mayor, Anne Hidalgo, a Socialist, opposes the government over this new law and supports strikers. But, as mayor of Paris, she is responsible for the well-being of the city and its residents. Oddly, some districts now have garbage collected by private firms, while others await the return of municipal workers and, especially, the reopening of the large incinerators on the outskirts of Paris. It's a political and practical challenge for her. You can't have your cake and eat it, too. Let's see how she manages.