French protesters storm headquarters of luxury goods company LVMH
Protesters stormed the Paris headquarters of luxury goods giant LVMH on Thursday to demand the rich foot the bill for a controversial overhaul of the country’s pension system.
Hundreds of union activists poured through the entrance doors of LVMH’s building on ritzy Avenue Montaigne, where boss Bernard Arnault — the world’s richest man — has his office.
Footage from the chaotic scene showed protesters climbing up an escalator that led to the higher levels of the office building.
“If you’re looking for money to finance pensions, take it from the pockets of billionaires,” said Sud Rail union representative Fabien Villedieu.
Villedieu said the protest was “symbolic and peaceful.”
France has faced waves of protests this year as workers slam a plan by French President Emmanuel Macron to raise the country’s retirement age to 64 from its current 62 by the year 2030.
Macron’s government argues the change is necessary to ensure the pension budget stays solvent in the years ahead.
The French president angered critics by advancing the legislation through special constitutional powers, rather than a parliamentary vote. Detractors have also accused Macron of catering to the rich.
The disorder at LVMH’s headquarters occurred a day before France’s Constitutional Council will determine whether the proposed overhaul is legal. Protesters argue the Macron-backed overhaul should be subject to a referendum or nixed entirely.
“We don’t want to work until 64,” Kathy Brochard, a 50-year-old teacher, said at the Paris protest.
“We still hope that, at some point, someone in high places will decide to abandon this law, sit around a table and look at pension funding differently,” added Francis Bourget, a 52-year-old postal service worker.
LVMH is led by Arnault,
Arnault, 74, who co-founded the luxury goods conglomerate and serves as its chairman and CEO, has an estimated net worth of $198 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
LVMH’s holdings include an array of well-known global brands, including Tiffany & Co., Christian Dior, Fendi as well as its namesake Louis Vuitton.
Approximately 380,000 people participated in the union-led protests across France on Thursday alone, authorities said. The demonstrations reportedly prompted some clashes between protesters and police, as well as dozens of injuries.
Macron has pledged to meet with union leaders following the council’s decision to discuss other potential solutions to their concerns. However, the critics say they won’t be satisfied unless the plan is withdrawn.
“After three months of mobilization, I would lie if I told you that there is no fatigue. We are tired, but a mobilization is like a marathon,” Villedieu added. “We won’t give up.”
With Post wires
