VOA标准英语2010年-French Government Debates Reforms as U

Unrest continues in France as the government debates a reform to France's retirement¹ system that has sparked more than a week of action targeting transport. Demonstrators blocked access to Marseille airport and continue to block fuel depots² halting gas supplies.

Government plan

France's Labor³ minister, Eric Woerth spelled out the financial benefits of the government's retirement reform program to the Senate. He outlined the billions of Euros that will be saved, saying that is essential in today's economy to address France's deficit⁴.

The proposal to raise the retirement age by two years, to 62, has sparked mass protests, including a day of demonstrations⁵ last Tuesday that brought at least a million people onto the streets, the unions that called the strikes claim 3.5 million demonstrated. Another day of mass action could come next week.

Helene Puyrigaud has been protesting with others, outside the French Senate, which is debating the law. She says every day the demonstrations will continue until they have won.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has appealed for calm as some protests have turned violent.

Fuel shortage

Nearly a quarter of French gas stations are without fuel because of the blockade of refineries⁶ and fuel depots, and there has been some panic buying. Pressure is increasing to get the gas supplies back to normal before Friday, which marks the start of school breaks when many French travel.

Analysts⁷ say the protests are about more than just retirement reform, and reflect the public's discontent with the president. Polls show Mr. Sarkozy's popularity at an all-time low a year and a half before elections.

Pop singer Lady Gaga cancelled her weekend concerts in Paris, over concerns that trucks carrying stage equipment and other necessities may not be able to reach the concert venue⁸.
 

1 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。

2 depots   

仓库( depot的名词复数 )； 火车站； 车库； 军需库

参考例句：

• Public transportation termini and depots are important infrastructures for a city. 公交场站设施是城市重要的基础设施。
• In the coastal cities are equipped with after-sales service and depots. 在各沿海城市均设有服务部及售后维修站。

3 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

4 deficit   

n.亏空，亏损；赤字，逆差

参考例句：

• The directors have reported a deficit of 2.5 million dollars.董事们报告赤字为250万美元。
• We have a great deficit this year.我们今年有很大亏损。

5 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

6 refineries   

精炼厂( refinery的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The efforts on closedown and suspension of small sugar refineries, small saccharin refineries and small paper mills are also being carried out in steps. 关停小糖厂、小糖精厂、小造纸厂的工作也已逐步展开。
• Hence the sitting of refineries is at a distance from population centres. 所以，炼油厂的厂址总在远离人口集中的地方。

7 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

8 venue   

n.犯罪地点，审判地，管辖地，发生地点，集合地点

参考例句：

• The hall provided a venue for weddings and other functions.大厅给婚礼和其他社会活动提供了场所。
• The chosen venue caused great controversy among the people.人们就审判地点的问题产生了极大的争议。