French PM Philippe says government will hold course on pension reform as strikes continue

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe delivers a statement at the Hotel Matignon in Paris on December 6, 2019, following a massive strike and protests against the government's pension reform plan on the previous day. Benoit Tessier/REUTERS

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said on Friday he was sticking with plans to reform the country’s pension system but insisted change would be gradual and “not brutal”. Strikes in France to protest the plans will continue through at least Tuesday, December 10.

“I believe in social dialogue ... I will never be in a logic of confrontation,” Philippe said after unions called for a new day of strikes and demonstrations next Tuesday.

France is grappling with a second day of travel chaos and understaffed schools and hospitals after street protests on Thursday drew at least 800,000 people.

(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)