You're reading: Polish pension referendum motion fails

WARSAW - The Polish government defeated on March 30 a parliamentary motion in which labour unions and some opposition parties sought a referendum on a reform plan to raise retirement age to 67 years.

The ruling coalition had agreed on March 29 to press ahead with the reform, which is at the heart of Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s long-term austerity drive.

Around 84 percent of Poles oppose the plan and the Solidarity trade union together with Tusk’s main parliamentary rival, the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, have been seeking a referendum on the issue.

Under the current laws men in Poland can retire at 65 and women at 60 years.