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France labour reforms: Protests as government pushes through bill France labour reforms: Protests as government pushes through bill
(about 9 hours later)
Fierce protests have broken out across France after the government forced through controversial labour reforms.Fierce protests have broken out across France after the government forced through controversial labour reforms.
Nantes saw clashes between protesters and security forces. In Paris police fired rubber pellets on demonstrators outside the National Assembly. In Nantes, protesters clashed with security forces. In Paris police fired rubber pellets on demonstrators outside the National Assembly.
Earlier, the cabinet approved using special powers to pass the changes without parliamentary approval.Earlier, the cabinet approved using special powers to pass the changes without parliamentary approval.
The government says the reforms are essential to help cut high levels of unemployment. France's Socialist government says the reforms are essential to help cut high levels of unemployment.
The changes make it easier for employers to hire and fire but opponents fear they will also enable employers to bypass workers' rights on pay, overtime and breaks. Two centre-right opposition parties have called a vote of no confidence in the government to be held on Thursday.
The changes to the labour laws make it easier for employers to hire and fire but opponents fear they will also enable employers to bypass workers' rights on pay, overtime and breaks.
President Francois Hollande has faced months of resistance to the bill from students, unions and even members of his own Socialist Party.President Francois Hollande has faced months of resistance to the bill from students, unions and even members of his own Socialist Party.
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
Hundreds of demonstrators rallied outside the National Assembly in Paris on Tuesday, calling for President Hollande to resign, with the protests continuing into the night. Hundreds of demonstrators rallied outside the National Assembly on Tuesday, calling for President Hollande to resign, with the protests continuing into the night.
Police used tear gas against protesters in Grenoble and Montpellier, reports from social media say. Lille, Tours and Marseille also saw demonstrations. Police used tear gas against protesters in Grenoble and Montpellier, reports from social media say. There were also demonstrations in Lille, Tours and Marseille.
In Toulouse two young protesters were injured in clashes with police, according to Le Parisien (in French).In Toulouse two young protesters were injured in clashes with police, according to Le Parisien (in French).
The decision to invoke an article of the constitution to force through the reforms was made after the government failed to reach a compromise on the bill with a group of rebel MPs within the Socialist Party. The decision to invoke an article of the constitution to force through the reforms was made after the government failed to reach a compromise on the bill with a group of rebel Socialist MPs.
This tactic has only been used once before under President Hollande, again to push though disputed economic reforms.This tactic has only been used once before under President Hollande, again to push though disputed economic reforms.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls was booed by MPs from the far left and the conservative opposition when he announced the cabinet's decision to the National Assembly.Prime Minister Manuel Valls was booed by MPs from the far left and the conservative opposition when he announced the cabinet's decision to the National Assembly.
"Pursuing the debate in parliament would pose the risk of... abandoning the compromise that we have built," he said."Pursuing the debate in parliament would pose the risk of... abandoning the compromise that we have built," he said.
The only way the bill can now be stopped is by the motion of censure - a vote of no confidence - that was filed by two right-wing parties on Tuesday.The only way the bill can now be stopped is by the motion of censure - a vote of no confidence - that was filed by two right-wing parties on Tuesday.
Between them they have 226 of the 288 votes needed to topple the government on Thursday.Between them they have 226 of the 288 votes needed to topple the government on Thursday.
However, correspondents say they are unlikely to find enough left-wing MPs willing to support them.However, correspondents say they are unlikely to find enough left-wing MPs willing to support them.
Fresh protests are set to be held on Thursday to coincide with the confidence vote.Fresh protests are set to be held on Thursday to coincide with the confidence vote.
Voices from the Paris protests
Nicholas: "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 real democracy. Without repression."
Benoit Coquin, 26: "I think that it's a law that's beginning to destroy the structure of working rights."