Hollande Accused of Crushing Democracy Over Labor Law Reforms

The French Socialist Government finally pushed through the law using article 49.3 of the French constitution for the third time to bypass parliament, despite massive opposition from the unions and students.

The move brought immediate condemnation with the Force Ouvrière union, saying:

"This bill is, and will forever remain, stained by its antidemocratic character."

France has been beset by protests since Hollande's Socialist government forced through changes to the strictly codified French labor laws — known as the Code du travail — in an effort to make it easier for employers to take on permanent staff and allow for more flexible working.

​Mass Protests

There have been rolling strikes for two months, affecting fuel refineries, fuel depots, the French railway, garbage collections, public services and educational establishments. They have been organized by the seven main unions: the Confédération générale du travail (CGT), Force Ouvrière (FO), Fédération Syndicale Unitaire (FSU), Solidaires Unitaires Démocratiques (SUD) and the student unions, Union Nationale des Etudiants de France (UNEF), L'Union nationale lycéenne (UNL) and La Fédération indépendante et démocratique lycéenne (FIDL).

The labor reforms would give employers more scope to lay-off workers and cut costs and allow some employees to work far longer than the current — and much cherished — maximum 35-hour week. Other reforms include a cap on severance pay for workers dismissed by a company.

The current uncertain cost of laying-off workers mean that companies are risk-averse to doing so, leaving them less flexible and — in some cases — less productive.

​Opponents say the reforms would undermine workers' rights on pay, overtime and breaks. Another mass demonstration has been slated for September 15 — largely because France is now on its summer break and the French don't do strikes when they are on holiday.