In Belgium.
Several hundred Belgian firefighters have broken through police lines in Brussels and hosed down the prime minister's office in protest at the government's tougher retirement plans.
The firefighters want to keep their early retirement age at 58, arguing their arduous job does not allow them to work into their 60s.
Such demands run counter to government plans to have the overwhelming majority of people work two years beyond 65 so it can afford an ever-increasing pension bill as Belgium's population ages.
The deputy prime minister, Didier Reynders, said caving in to the firefighters' demands would "send the wrong signal" to everyone. Belgium has 17,000 firefighters.
5 comments:
I would have gone with plan b: beat the crap out of them...
Now el, they're going to think you don't like them!
el chupa - that was my initial reaction also. But the police and fire services can be pretty tight in some cities.
Longbow - if you want to be loved, join the fire dept.
As government run retirement plans run up against the wall of bankruptcy, inevitably the retirement age will be raised or a similar proposal will be put forth. People in physically strenuous work will never reach the new retirement age due to the natural effects of aging. Many may seek disability payments. Or, if they are even able to find a different line of work, it will likely pay less and they will contribute less to tax revenues. Either way, less money will be available for those who do retire. Bankruptcy of the system is not averted.
A viable retirement system would utilize the strengths of free market capitalism to encourage people to invest in and further the growth of the economy.
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