Jakarta (Reportase One) – The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has ensured that so far no Indonesian citizen (WNI) has been directly affected by the demonstration against changes to the pension system in France.
“The Indonesian Embassy in Paris continues to monitor the situation and establish communication with the Indonesian people,” said Director for Protection of Indonesian Citizens and BHI of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Judha Nugraha via short message, Friday.
He appealed to the Indonesian people in France to remain vigilant and careful by avoiding crowds, not taking part in demonstrations, always monitoring the situation and directions from local authorities, and immediately contacting the Indonesian Embassy in Paris in case of an emergency.
Indonesian people can contact hotline Indonesian Embassy in Paris at +33 6 21 12 21 09.
Police fired tear gas and fought groups of black-clad anarchists in Paris and across France on Thursday (22/3) as hundreds of thousands of protesters marched against President Emmanuel Macron’s plans to raise the retirement age.
Teachers were among those who went on strike, days after the government pushed for legislation to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.
Also read: Protests against pension reform plans continue in France
The demonstrations in central Paris were generally peaceful, but the anarchist “Black Block” smashed shop windows, smashed street furniture, and ransacked a McDonald’s restaurant.
Clashes broke out when riot police pushed back the anarchists with tear gas and stun grenades.
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said 149 police officers were injured and 172 people arrested across the country.
However, the demonstrators vowed to continue holding demonstrations until the government cancels plans to change the retirement age considering that the retirement age in France is the longest in Europe.
In addition, the government will also increase the minimum number of years required for citizens to get full pensions.
These changes are proposed to increase state revenues by 17.7 billion euros.
According to the union, there are many other ways if the state really wants to increase state revenues, such as imposing taxes on the super rich.
Also read: French workers’ confederation plans further protest actions
Reporter: Yashinta Difa Pramudyani
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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source: www.antaranews.com
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