French fight against change to 35-hour working week

A day of protests against French President Francois Hollande’s efforts to tamper with the country’s 35-hour working week was staged across the country.

Several union and student organisations called protests in more than 200 cities across France to try to kill a Bill which has even divided Mr Hollande’s Socialists.

The protests fell on the same day as rail strikes delayed some suburban and long-distance trains — but not local transport.

The contested labour reform would amend France’s 35-hour working week, voted in by the Socialists in 2000 and now a cornerstone of the left.

The current Socialist government wants adjustments to reduce France’s 10% unemployment rate as the shortened working week was meant to do.

The proposal technically maintains the 35-hour working week, but allows companies to organise alternative working times without following industry-wide deals — up to a 48-hour working week and 12 hours per day.

In “exceptional circumstances”, employees could work up to 60 hours a week.

To allow companies to deal with business booms, one measure would allow employees to work more than 35 hours without being paid overtime.

In exchange, they would have more days off later on.

Other measures would relax rules on lay-offs and working from home and at night.

The proposals have turned all major employee unions and youth organisations against the government.

With next year’s presidential election looming and Mr Hollande’s popularity having reached its nadir, legislation to make it easier for companies to end employment deals is fuelling discontent in a country badly hit by the economic downturn.