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Spread of Strikes Throughout France Symptomatic of Breakdown in Trust

© REUTERS / Jean-Paul PelissierFrench labour union workers attend a demonstration against the French labour law proposal in Marseille, France, as part of a nationwide labor reform protests and strikes, April 28, 2016.
French labour union workers attend a demonstration against the French labour law proposal in Marseille, France, as part of a nationwide labor reform protests and strikes, April 28, 2016. - Sputnik International
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For the fourth time in two months, demonstrators have taken to the streets across France to protest against proposed reforms to the country’s labor code.

Workers, students and at least seven trade unions are today engaged in a "day of action" against a draft bill put forward by France’s Minister for Labor – Myriam El Khomri – which many see as being unfairly weighted in favor of employers.

Today’s action follows similar protests held during March and April, all of which have been geared towards the parliamentary debate due to begin next week. Essentially, the bill is intended to allow more flexibility on the part of employers, particularly regarding working hours and redundancy, but it has been vehemently opposed by the unions.

President Hollande has also signaled a desire to increase workers’ hours above the existing cap of 35 hours – in lieu of any union agreement or compensation package, as well as restricting pay-outs to employees who are fired.

© REUTERS / Charles PlatiauA demonstrator holds up his guitar in support of temporary arts workers, known as "intermittents", who occupy the Odeon theater in Paris, France, April 26, 2016, to protest against the change of their unemployment benefits.
A demonstrator holds up his guitar in support of temporary arts workers, known as intermittents, who occupy the Odeon theater in Paris, France, April 26, 2016, to protest against the change of their unemployment benefits. - Sputnik International
A demonstrator holds up his guitar in support of temporary arts workers, known as "intermittents", who occupy the Odeon theater in Paris, France, April 26, 2016, to protest against the change of their unemployment benefits.

The current unrest throughout France is symptomatic of an ongoing breakdown in trust towards President Francois Hollande, whose approval ratings have hit a record low. He now faces opposition from all sides of French politics – including his own supporters.

Hollande rode to victory in 2012, becoming France’s first left-wing President in 20 years on a wave of public support. His pledges to revolutionize Europe’s handling of the economic crisis, combined with a rejection of the German led austerity program, gave hope to the French left, but many of his supporters have since lost faith in the embattled President. 

French President Francois Hollande - Sputnik International
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A self-proclaimed "centrist" of France’s Socialist Party, Hollande has struggled to get the country’s economy back on track – unemployment remains stagnant at an 18 year high – and amidst deepening divisions within his own party, he will be eyeing next year’s presidential election with considerable apprehension. An Odoxa poll published earlier this month suggested that 76% of voters want him to step aside, making way for another Socialist Party candidate.

Further protests are expected throughout France on Sunday – Labor Day – and Tuesday, when the bill will first be debated in Parliament.

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