Posted on 03/20/2006 12:43:07 PM PST by SmithL
PARIS -- French unions and student groups on Monday called a national day of strikes for March 28 to protest a youth jobs plan that has already provoked massive street demonstrations and paralyzed many universities.
Labor unions had set a Monday evening deadline for Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin to withdraw the jobs plan or face a possible general strike — but he showed few signs of backing down. At a meeting with student groups, Villepin simply urged more dialogue.
"There are problems and worries being expressed," Villepin said after the meeting, which was boycotted by the largest student group, UNEF. "Let's get together around a table to move forward and find solutions and responses."
The law, passed by parliament this month, is designed to reduce youth unemployment by making it easier for companies to hire and fire. But critics fear it will hurt job security — and they have led huge protests in recent days to demand the government abandon the plan.
Another day of street protests is planned Thursday, ahead of the national day of strikes.
French President Jacques Chirac acknowledged Monday that concerns about the law were legitimate, but said high youth unemployment in France required action. He made a new appeal for talks between opponents and the government.
"The stakes in the next few days are to open a constructive and conscientious dialogue that could improve" the law, he told reporters after a Paris meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah II. Chirac must sign the law for it to take effect as expected next month.
The debate looms large in the run-up to French presidential and legislative elections next year. Polls show the popularity rating of the conservative Villepin taking a beating, and the opposition Socialists have vowed to revoke the measure if they return to power.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Why would any business even remotely think of setting up shop in France?
They're conducting a French-off right now in an abandoned warehouse to determine the answer.
*yawn*
It'll be news when there are NO strikes in France ;)
Does the EU have employment related aspects?
It seems to me that job security, hiring and terms can't be universal across the continent. If one country is less or more restrictive what is Brussel's role in a dispute?
Job terms are not universal across the EU - each country makes its own laws. I'm not sure if Brussels gets involved in domestic problems like this. The civil servants in Brussels are too busy being useless for that sort of thing.
Then again, I am not an expert on this by any means.
France has high unemployment. If the can actually replace the idiots that think it's their right to punish employers for simply wanting them to work for a living, this probelm will solve itself.
Fire them all.
Is "strike" the French word for "overturn cars and set them on fire"?
Well! That oughta cut back their work-week to about two hours from the normal 4.
France reminds me of the Palestenians. There is so much unemployment that they have a lot of time to for protests. Yet, nobody wants to work, much.
When are the French NOT on strike?
It would be simpler if they announced when they will NOT be on strike, vacation, sick leave, personal days, family leave, hangnail hospitalization and so forth.
Can you imagine what life would be life if Ottawa or Mexico City had a say on US job, hiring and terms policies?
Yeah, that would last about three seconds.
The government.
Incentive to work is still "pie-in-the-sky" for France :).
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.