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.
#Rennes #LoiTravail Plusieurs milliers de manifestants au départ de l'esplanade Charles de Gaulle pic.twitter.com/RJHCFwbA8S
— France 3 Bretagne (@france3Bretagne) April 28, 2016
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.
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.
Is there such a thing as negative approval ratings? Hollande may find out… New poll shows him at 12 percent https://t.co/n2KKsKK7oM
— Nicholas Vinocur (@NicholasVinocur) March 31, 2016
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.
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.
