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PARIS, Dec. 24-- Unshaken by nearly three weeks of social protests, the French government still tends to merge the current 42-scheme pension system into what it says a single, fair and transparent point-based system while offering more talks with unions' representatives to dampen protesters' anger. "We have clearly expressed our ideas, our concerns and our priorities. We listened to each other. It's true, we do not always agree, but we can still talk together to find compromises," Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said in statement. "It is therefore important that social dialogue continues in January," he added after he met with trade unions on Monday. With the aim, Philippe pledged to restart talks with unions on pension reform on Jan. 7. Separate talks will also be held with teachers' and hospital workers' unions from Jan. 13. Laurent Pietraszewski, minister of state for pensions, said the government is ready to compromise. "The government is making proposals. When we guarantee acquired rights, when we clearly say that whatever the pension system is, all those within 17 years of retirement would not be affected, we should be able to calm down," he told BFMTV news channel on Tuesday. However, Philippe Martinez, leader of General Confederation of Labor CGT union, said, "For the moment, nothing has changed," adding, "The disenchantment is here and the strikes are continuing." The government wants to end all special schemes in current system that allow workers in certain public sectors to retire earlier than average and with more benefits. Under the new system, all pensions will be calculated in a point-based way, with same rules applying to all. The legal retirement age remains 62 but people must work till 64 to qualify for a full pension. | 
