After talks with the PM Martinez reiterated his demand that the reform be scrapped and the current pensions system renegotiated. The so-called pivot age is a controversial part of the pension reform because if introduced it would mean many workers would only be able to retire on a full pension at the age of 64. They could still retire at the current legal age of 62 but would face a reduced pension. Strike organisers are hoping for a repeat of 1995, when the government to back down on pension reform after three weeks of metro and rail stoppages just before Christmas. The strike is costing the economy about €400 million a day, according to a calculation by the CPME confederation of small and midsize enterprises.

Source: The Local December 18, 2019 15:00 UTC