https://sputnikglobe.com/20180605/france-sncf-reform-protests-1065130079.html
French Senate Approves Railway Operator Reform Despite Spike of Protests
French Senate Approves Railway Operator Reform Despite Spike of Protests
Sputnik International
PARIS (Sputnik) - The French Senate on Tuesday approved the government's project to reform the state-owned railway operator SNCF amid workers' protests. The... 05.06.2018, Sputnik International
2018-06-05T16:34+0000
2018-06-05T16:34+0000
2018-06-05T16:45+0000
https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106424/04/1064240415_0:281:5568:3430_1920x0_80_0_0_a711c22e328c7b6f418eaebe9dae9be3.jpg
france
Sputnik International
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
2018
Sputnik International
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
News
en_EN
Sputnik International
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
Sputnik International
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
newsfeed, europe, france, sncf
newsfeed, europe, france, sncf
French Senate Approves Railway Operator Reform Despite Spike of Protests
16:34 GMT 05.06.2018 (Updated: 16:45 GMT 05.06.2018) PARIS (Sputnik) - The French Senate on Tuesday approved the government's project to reform the state-owned railway operator SNCF amid workers' protests. The draft law was backed by 240 senators, while 85 voted against it.
The project has already been approved by the lower chamber of the parliament, the National Assembly.
The reform aims to introduce competition to the sector currently monopolized by the SNCF, stop giving a special status to new workers and change the legal status of the company. French trade unions are worried that the change of status may lead to the privatization of the company.
READ MORE: Paris Protests: WATCH 'Macron' Set on Fire in French Capital
The French government has repeatedly promised that the company would remain public. The government has also pledged to assume 35 billion euros ($40 billion) of the 47 billion euro debt the SNCF has accumulated. Nevertheless, the railway workers have been on a rolling strike since April. The strike is supposed to go on until June.
Recently, 91,000 of the company's employees had participated in a non-binding vote on the reform, with some 94.97 percent rejecting the move.
READ MORE: Almost 95% of French SNCF Rail Employees Reportedly Vote Against Company Reform
