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France CPE Riot Watch: Jacques Chirac Capitulates on SOME of Job Law

A video grab shows French President Jacques Chirac as he addresses the nation from the Elysee Palace in Paris, March 31, 2006, to explain how he aims to end weeks of strikes and huge demonstrations against the CPE First Job Contract, which critics say undermines job security for young workers. Chirac said on Friday he would sign a controversial youth job law despite weeks of protest against it, but promised amendments that would weaken two of its most disputed reforms.

ASSociated Press: Chirac Makes Some Concessions on Jobs Law

President Jacques Chirac said Friday he would press ahead with a contentious labor law making it easier to fire workers, but he offered some concessions in hopes of calming furious protests that led to nationwide strikes.

Chirac said he would reduce a trial period during which employees could be summarily dismissed from two years to one, and he would require employers to offer reasons for the dismissal.

So, Chirac capitulates and hangs Prime Minister Villepin out to dry. How typical of him. Ask Colin Powell.

Bordeaux II university students react in Bordeaux, southwest France, as French President Jacques Chirac delivers his speech on TV March 31, 2006. The students are protesting against a youth job plan based on a new employment contract which they say will increase job insecurity for the young and will not reduce unemployment. The new job contract, known as the CPE, would allow firms to hire people aged under 26 for a two-year trial period before offering them a permanent job.
And the changes, well, they pretty much gut the law into meaningless bloviation to the French business community.

In preserving the principle that workers under 26 would face a lack of job security, Chirac came down on the side of his prime minister, Dominique de Villepin, who has argued that businesses will welcome the added flexibility, encouraging hirings that will bring down France’s chronic youth unemployment rates.

The contested jobs law “can be an effective tool for employment,” Chirac said.

What a joke. The CPE is now worthless and do you think the socialists will be appeased?

The concessions appeared to anger, not appease, opponents of the law, who wanted it scrapped altogether.

“We don’t want to negotiate … we don’t want it at all,” Bruno Julliard, head of the largest students’ union, said on TF1 television. “The president had the chance to give a clear answer, which he didn’t do.”

The head of the Worker’s Force union, Jean-Claude Mailly, said strikes already planned for next Tuesday should go ahead.

A modified law “is not what was asked for,” he said.

Stay tuned for more bloody street demonstrations/protests…..

Previous:

France CPE Riot Watch: Constitutional Council Upholds CPE Jobs Law

France CPE Riot Watch:Fate of CPE Up to Constitutional Council

France CPE Riot Watch: A Million People March to Protest CPE First Job Contract

France CPE Riot Watch: French Police Subdue Riots

France CPE Riot Watch: First Job Contract Protests Grip French Cities

France Riot Watch: Students Riot in Paris over New Youth Employment Contract


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One Comment

  • Jason Spalding

    Riots are nothing new in France in 1789, when a Parisian crowd was demonstrating furiously in front of his palace, King Louis XVI asked, “Is it a riot?” and was answered, “No Sir, it is a revolution.’’