Posted on 03/07/2006 5:58:16 AM PST by Panerai
Union leaders in France say they expect more than half a million people to take part in nationwide protests against a new youth employment plan.
Demonstrations are expected in 160 towns and cities, and air and rail services are threatened with delays.
At least 200,000 people turned out for a day of protests a month ago.
The government wants to let firms offer flexible job contracts to people under 26 which allow them to be sacked at short notice for the first two years.
Critics warn taht the new legislation, which currently only applies to small firms, could be misused by larger employers and make it even harder for young people to find a permanent job.
Street marches
Disruption was reported to flights from Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse and Nice airports on Tuesday morning as some air traffic controllers joined the strike.
The action also affected radio stations France Info and RFI, which were forced to replace most of their usual news bulletins with music.
Thousands of people, many of them students, took to the streets in south-west France on Tuesday morning, ahead of a demonstration planned in Paris at lunchtime.
Public services may also be hit by strikes, unions warned.
The government's First Employment Contract (CPE) legislation was passed by senators on Monday but must be scrutinised by a cross-party committee before it becomes law.
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin used emergency powers to push the law through the lower house last month.
The government argues the measure will boost opportunities for young workers, many of whom can only find short-term contract work at best.
After the two-year trial period, the contract would revert to a standard full-time contract.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
Only in France could a 26 year old be considered a "yute". I suppose "old people" are over 40.
They are upset because the law stipulates they can be fired? They don't have jobs yet. Perhaps they could just be good employees and keep their jobs.
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