Chanting slogans and waving banners against the
new hiring law, tens of thousands of demonstrators marched through the
Paris streets Tuesday, ending up at the Place de la Republic in the
northern part of the city. Similar marches were held in towns and cities
across France. Striking workers disrupted
public transportation, rail and airline services around the
country. Teachers, postal workers and private sector employees also joined
the walkout
.
Those protesting the jobs law included Artur Cosnefoy, a 17-year-old
high school student from the Paris suburb of Nanterre.
"The jobs law, known here as the first employment
contract, is bad for French society. You can see the malaise
here," he said. "The law needs to
be changed."
Passed earlier this month, the new legislation
allows businesses to more easily hire, but also fire young workers during
the first two years of their employment. French Prime Minister Dominique
de Villepin, who spearheaded
the legislation, argues it will help reduce high youth
unemployment. But many youngsters say it will only increase job
insecurity.
The protests have gone on for weeks at French universities and schools
and are influencing the French population at large. A series of polls show
most people oppose the jobs legislation in its current form. And at the
Paris demonstration, parents like 40-year-old Hishem Larach said they did
not want their children facing an uncertain future.
"Its not a question of unemployment. Businesses do not have
confidence in our youngsters," he said. "The government should force them to
give French youths more internships and other opportunities."
The protests are the latest crisis to hit France's center-right
government, still reeling over riots in the French suburbs in October and
November. Some observers fear the anger over the law will ignite new
violence in France. There were several clashes between youths and police
on Tuesday.
Mr. de Villepin has watched his popularity tumble, and support for the
legislation is unravelling even within his own cabinet. The French prime
minister says he is willing to soften but not repeal the legislation. And
on Tuesday, he renewed calls for dialogue with labor and student union
leaders. But most have rejected his invitation to meet for new talks on
Wednesday.
France's Constitutional Council is expected to rule Thursday on whether
the new law is constitutional. |