That excellent BBC site says it all. It's a bit scary here in Paris at times when the "casseurs" start throwing things and the riot police react. I was near the Sorbonne University the other day and almost got caught up in the skirmishes. It has to be said though that most of the demonstrations across the country have been extremely peaceful. There is widespread resentment to the proposed new employment contract from the French public at large and another day of action is being organised for Tuesday next with trains and public transport among the areas affected. So it's not just the young people who are protesting. President Chirac is to speak about it all on French television at 8 Paris time this evening, so if anyone wants to check out the Internet ...
Posts: 748 | Location: Paris | Registered: 04-28-03
A curious side statistic concerns trade unions. One would be forgiven for thinking that France is highly unionised. Governments over the years have given the impression of being cowed by unions and by the threat of strikes. When strikes do occur they seem high-profile. There has been talk of a general strike.
So what percentage of the French labour force is in a trade union? About 8 per cent.In the UK the figure is about 22%.It's just that unions are strong in certain key areas such as transport. France seems to have no laws controlling unions, either, unlike Britain.
( Forget the question of sacking an employee. You have to think there is something odd about a country where an employee of 36 months continuous employment has the right to demand a sabbatical of eleven months leave ).
I would think it would put an awful lot of stress on someone to be under a microscope and at the will of an employer for two years? You may be doing a good job but if they suddenly find someone else they would want to have the job you'd be gone? Unbelievable.
'French student leaders celebrated "a decisive victory" today after President Chirac announced that he was ditching a contentious new jobs law that would have made it easier for employers to sack young workers.
The cave-in was announced in a brief statement from the Elysée Palace after two months of protests brought millions onto the streets of France.'Chirac Ditches Jobs Law after Protests
