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French labour reforms: Government to force plan through | French labour reforms: Government to force plan through |
(35 minutes later) | |
The French cabinet has given the go-ahead for Prime Minister Manuel Valls to force through highly controversial labour reforms. | |
An extraordinary cabinet meeting invoked the French constitution's controversial Article 49.3, allowing the government to bypass parliament. | |
The bill would make it easier for employers to hire and fire workers. | The bill would make it easier for employers to hire and fire workers. |
Opponents say it will let employers bypass workers' rights on pay, overtime and breaks. | Opponents say it will let employers bypass workers' rights on pay, overtime and breaks. |
The proposed reforms, which also include changes to France's 35-hour working week, have sparked waves of sometimes violent protests across France. | The proposed reforms, which also include changes to France's 35-hour working week, have sparked waves of sometimes violent protests across France. |
The BBC's Lucy Williamson in Paris says the bill, known as the Khomri law after Labour Minister Mariam El Khomri, has forced a wedge between the governing Socialist party and its left-wing supporters. | |
The government says removing some of the protection workers enjoy will encourage businesses to hire more people. | |
It says its aim is to combat chronic unemployment. | It says its aim is to combat chronic unemployment. |
President Francois Hollande has said that he will only consider running for re-election next year if he can bring down the jobless rate, which is more than 10%. | President Francois Hollande has said that he will only consider running for re-election next year if he can bring down the jobless rate, which is more than 10%. |
The decision to invoke article 49.3 was made after the government failed to reach a compromise on the bill with MPs. | The decision to invoke article 49.3 was made after the government failed to reach a compromise on the bill with MPs. |
A group of rebels within the Socialist party has refused to support the reforms. | A group of rebels within the Socialist party has refused to support the reforms. |
The only way the bill can now be stopped is by a motion of censure - effectively a vote of no confidence - in parliament within 24 hours, a move which would bring down the government. | The only way the bill can now be stopped is by a motion of censure - effectively a vote of no confidence - in parliament within 24 hours, a move which would bring down the government. |
Correspondents say such action is highly unlikely. | Correspondents say such action is highly unlikely. |