A relaxation of rules governing France's 35-hour workweek, will allow private sector employees to work longer hours for more pay. The 35-hour workweek was put in place five years ago when the national unemployment rate was very high. Leaders of French unions see changes to this custom as a threat to the country?s leisure ethic and a way to put more power in the hands of employers.
See "Effort to Extend Workweek Advances in France", Craig S. Smith, The New York Times, February 9, 2005