Catherwood LibraryILR School

On the same day as a national rail strike, hundreds of thousands of union workers and students took to the streets across France to protest a proposed labor bill that would modify the country’s current strictly-codified labor law in almost every area. Some of the proposed changes include lengthening the French work week, making it easier for businesses to lay off workers, and encouraging businesses to hire more workers on a permanent basis rather relying on temporary workers. Students have traditionally been a large part of France’s protest movements; 90 of the country’s 2,500 secondary schools were blocked by their students. 10 years ago, then-French president Jacques Chirac had to withdraw labor reforms after massive student protests. French President Francois Hollande, who will be watching the student protests closely, has been trying to lower France’s unemployment rate, stuck at over 10% for four years, and increase economic growth, which has been inert at 1.5%.