French labour laws trigger immense protests

[Shi Huangdi]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui


It's like Christian Science in a way, God will heal France's problems without needing any changes in the law! .

No, No, clearly ACTION is required here! Clearly the problem is that in France it is not difficult enough to fire an employee! They should make firing illegal- it will surely cut down on the unemployment rate if companies are unable to send workers into the ranks of unemployed!

Oh, and kick out those damn Polish plumbers while we're at it too!

[Fake Boris]

In case people still think the protesters are a minority... 1500 out of 15 000 students came to vote yesterday in Bordeaux 3... and voted for the strike at a 90% majority.

I wonder, is 10% enough of a statistically significant sample for you guys? Right now the center of Bordeaux is quite in turmoil, with small demonstrations everyday (like 2000 persons) and a major one every week (50 000 people).

Hell, even the LAW faculty is striking.

[Fake Boris]

The best part about Shi Huangdi's posts is that he's got no idea what the CPE and the law on 'equal opportunities', and probably has no clue as to what the students demand.

His sarcasm sure could sound cool to an Idaho potato farmer, but I doubt this effect would extend beyond Fox Nexs viewers.

[Seeker]

I've heard that the Arabs have some kind of beef against these young frogs and are mixing it up with 'em...anyone know why?

[Sikander]

Originally posted by Seeker
I've heard that the Arabs have some kind of beef against these young frogs and are mixing it up with 'em...anyone know why?

Perhaps because job security without a job is a rather empty promise.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Sikander
Perhaps because job security without a job is a rather empty promise.

Bingo. Arab youth, who have something like 25% unemployment realizes that this plan will allow more youth to be hired.

[Arrian]

So, let us assume that this CPE is withdrawn. Then what?

-Arrian

[Drake Tungsten]

Go France!

[JohnT]

Originally posted by Maniac


Nothing specifically French. The oil crisis was in 1973-74. Most of Europe has been going downhill ever since.



The "Scandinavian system" is that it's easy to hire/fire people, but in case you're so unlucky to get fired, you can fall back on a safety net, good social security. The problems with the filthy rightwingers in Europe is that they want to flexibilize firing, but don't want to compensate this by better social security.

How does the oil crisis of 1973 make it more difficult for young people (compared to adults) to find work in 1996?

Again, looking at the graph it seems rather obvious that something happened in that time to make young people not as attractive employees as older people, something that has yet to be corrected. I don't see how a temporary oil crisis is the answer - to me, the change implies that a law was enacted.

[Dinner]

Originally posted by David Floyd
Huh? The French government is passing a law that WILL drive down unemployment among young people. Yes, there is the possibility that they will be laid off or fired at some point, but not if they do their job well and/or are in a competitive industry, and even if they are, how is that any different than never having had a job at all? Isn't it better to get some experience on your resume, not to mention some money, even if only for a short time?

Now you are just being a silly American.

[Dinner]

Originally posted by Maniac
The "Scandinavian system" is that it's easy to hire/fire people, but in case you're so unlucky to get fired, you can fall back on a safety net, good social security. The problems with the filthy rightwingers in Europe is that they want to flexibilize firing, but don't want to compensate this by better social security.

The Scandinavian system sounds good but I imagine the various European governments have their budgets stretched as it is. Where is the money for additional social spending and how will increased taxes effect their competitiveness in the global economy?

[Dinner]

Originally posted by Oncle Boris
In case people still think the protesters are a minority... 1500 out of 15 000 students came to vote yesterday in Bordeaux 3... and voted for the strike at a 90% majority.

I wonder, is 10% enough of a statistically significant sample for you guys? Right now the center of Bordeaux is quite in turmoil, with small demonstrations everyday (like 2000 persons) and a major one every week (50 000 people).

Hell, even the LAW faculty is striking.

10% seems like a tiny minority compared to the remaining 90%. Also I have noticed people who disagree with these activists tend to get beaten up, harassed, and shouted down by this minority. I don't see how a democracy can work in such an environment.

[ajbera]

French court: Jobs law is valid

PARIS, France (CNN) -- France's highest court has ruled that a job bill that has sparked massive demonstrations and strikes across the country is valid.

The constitutional court ruled Thursday in a case brought by the Socialist Party that the bill -- proposed by Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin to help younger workers get jobs -- does not discriminate based on age, and in fact even favors younger workers.

The court also ruled that the argument that the bill would violate international employment union and European Union regulations is a matter for those unions and the EU to decide, not the French court.

The bill, called the contrat premier embauche, or CPE, would allow employers to hire and fire workers who are 26 years old and younger any time within their first two years of employment for any reason.

Under current French law, merit in the workplace has little sway. Workers cannot be easily or inexpensively fired.

As a result, employers are reluctant to hire new workers, contributing to an overall French unemployment rate of 9.6 percent.

The ball is now in the court of French President Jacques Chirac, who is expected to address his country Friday evening on the matter.

Chirac still has nine days to sign the bill into law. He could opt instead to send it back to the country's parliament for further consideration.

April 4 is the next planned day of massive rallies and strikes, according to labor unions and student groups.

In the past week, tens of thousands of people have participated in demonstrations against the bill in dozens of cities across France.

Unions and student groups also appealed to Chirac to use his powers to withdraw the contract championed by his prime minister.

De Villepin has repeatedly said he was willing to discuss possible improvements to the job contract but has given no hint he will withdraw it.

Students and labor unions say the contract will erode France's time-honored workplace protections, while Villepin says it will cut down France's 22 percent youth unemployment rate.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/03/30/france.jobslaw/index.html

[David Floyd]

Even the French courts are saying this benefits young people. Maybe people in France will start to realize it is the unions who oppose this law even though it's good for the country and the people.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Bingo. Arab youth, who have something like 25% unemployment realizes that this plan will allow more youth to be hired.

Spoken like a true expert