Switzerland
The SSP-VPOD public services union backed the national demonstration on 14 June over childcare provision and proposals to increase the retirement age for women. The union has criticized the federal government for plans to cut back a scheme that has actually increased childcare places in recent years, although there is still a major shortage across the country.
Read more at > SSP-VPOD (FR)=34&cHash=cbb0d8e98e]
And at > VPOD-SSP (DE)=34&cHash=fbd7799cbb]
The SOMK education, culture and media union organised demonstrations in Zagreb and Rijeka to protest against plans to raise the retirement age for childcare workers from 65 to 67. The union argues that the change fails to recognise the nature of work in the sector and the increasing mental and physical demands made on childcare workers. EPSU sent a message of solidarity as did the BDDSz childcare workers from Hungary.
On Saturday 21 November thousands of people joined union-organised demonstrations in Rotterdam, Assen, Deventer and Eindhoven against the government’s proposals to increase the state pension age from 65 to 67. A survey commissioned by the FNV trade union confederation found three quarters of people opposed to the increase and wanting the unions to campaign to stop it. Read more at > Abvakabo
The government has said that discussions over increasing the pension age to 65 from 63 for men and from 60 for women have been suspended. The government says that the economic situation means that its priorities now are focused on the labour market and health reform. Read more at > Novinite news website (EN)
