FRANCE – France’s labour minister Francois Fillon has admitted that it will be impossible to resolve all the problems facing the country’s pension system, even by 2020.

In a television interview on Sunday, Fillon said that the pensions reform that is expected to pass through parliament this summer will not “solve all the problems, not even by 2020”. He added that unless workers realise that they must remain in employment until the age of 60, and not retire early, reform will always be half-hearted.

Prime minister Raffarin announced last week that the issues of levels and duration of contributions and final pensions will be the main subjects of the reform debate, and discussions with union leaders have already begun.

The outlook is not good, with the government and the main unions already at odds after just one consultation on the issue.

Raffarin put forward proposals when he met union leaders on Thursday that clash with their two key demands, which they made on January 7.

The unions are calling for an increase in pension payouts, and a repeal of elements of the Balladur reform of 1993. Those reforms entail a lowering of pensions in relation to salaries in the private sector.

For now, the reform proposals are just at the discussion stage. The government is trying to evaluate which options will be accepted by the workers, as the topic is considered a political hot potato.

A working group is being set up, comprising the various confederations, which will look at the public sector, difficulties of working, working beyond 50 and gender discrimination. Employers will be consulted tomorrow and asked to participate. Without them on board, progress towards reform will be tough.