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French labour reforms: Government to force plan through French labour reforms: Government to force plan through
(about 2 hours later)
The French cabinet has given the go-ahead for Prime Minister Manuel Valls to force through highly controversial labour reforms.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 rarely used Article 49.3, allowing the government to bypass parliament.An extraordinary cabinet meeting invoked the French constitution's rarely used Article 49.3, allowing the government to bypass parliament.
It came after rebel MPs from the governing Socialist party had vowed to vote down the bill.It came after rebel MPs from the governing Socialist party had vowed to vote down the bill.
The reforms will make it easier for employers to hire and fire workers.The reforms will make it easier for employers to hire and fire workers.
Opponents, however, say the bill will allow employers to bypass workers' rights on pay, overtime and breaks.Opponents, however, say the bill will allow employers to 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. Later on Tuesday, opposition parties filed a motion of no confidence in the government, to be debated on Thursday.
A demonstration outside the National Assembly in Paris has been called by the Nuit Debout (Up All Night) movement later on Tuesday.
French labour reform bill - main pointsFrench labour reform bill - main points
Busting the myth of France's 35-hour working weekBusting the myth of France's 35-hour working week
Mr Valls was booed by MPs from the far left and the conservative opposition when he announced the cabinet's decision to the National Assembly.Mr Valls was booed by MPs from the far left and the conservative opposition when he announced the cabinet's decision to the National Assembly.
"This text, useful for businesses and for workers, faces, I regret, opposition from all sides," he said."This text, useful for businesses and for workers, faces, I regret, opposition from all sides," he said.
"My responsibility is to move forward and ensure that this text is adopted.""My responsibility is to move forward and ensure that this text is adopted."
The proposed reforms, which also include changes to France's 35-hour working week, have sparked waves of sometimes violent protests across France.
Hundreds of protesters rallied outside the National Assembly in Paris on Tuesday, calling for President Francois Hollande to resign.
Voices from the Paris protests
Benoit Coquin, 26: "I think that it's a law that's beginning to destroy the structure of working rights."
Benjamin: "I'm here today to protest against a law that is unfair to citizens. It gives less and less rights to the employees and we're protesting because of the way they're trying to pass this law without doing a vote at the (National) Assembly."
Nicholas: "Tonight is a special night because the government is forcing through this law, so we decided to come here. We are not stuck in one place, we are everywhere where it matters. We want to show that people have a voice."
Anais, 31, student: "I'm here for a real democracy. Without repression."
The BBC's Lucy Williamson in Paris says the bill, known as the Khomri law after Labour Minister Myriam El Khomri, has forced a wedge between the governing Socialist party and its left-wing supporters.The BBC's Lucy Williamson in Paris says the bill, known as the Khomri law after Labour Minister Myriam El Khomri, has forced a wedge between the governing Socialist party and its left-wing supporters.
The government says relaxing workers' protection will encourage businesses to hire more people and help to combat chronic unemployment.The government says relaxing workers' protection will encourage businesses to hire more people and help 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 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 - a vote of no confidence - that was filed by two right-wing parties on Tuesday.
Correspondents say such action is highly unlikely. Between them they have 226 of the 288 votes needed to topple the government in the 575-seat parliament on Thursday.
However, correspondents say they are unlikely to find enough left-wing MPs willing to support them.