France up in flames over new job laws

[stargalaxy]

>> More pictures, click here >>

France has been going up in flames this week as students have risen up to protest against new laws the French Government wants to bring in. To deal with the unemployment rate of 20% for 18-25 year olds, they're bringing new laws in next month to make it easier for employers to hire young people. Unfortunately, it also makes it easier for them to be sacked. Why? A clause in the bill allows employers to end job contracts for under-26s at any time during a two-year trial period without warning, nor do they have to explain their reasons.

The Government says it will encourage employers to hire young people. French students fear it will just lead to more uncertainty, knowing they could be sacked at any moment. So, they've risen up in protest. And as the pictures show, they're turning nasty. 17 people were injured yesterday, 7 police officers were injured, and over 160 people were arrested. Students want this new law repealed, but Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, showing an arrogance Mr Blair would be proud of, is refusing to budge. >> Details >>

We may knock the French a lot in this country, but at least they're prepared to go out and protest, unlike in Britain where the government does what it wants and to hell with anyone else. That does not excuse the violence, however. And all this happening less than six months after those violent protests about immigration levels. Why are the French people getting so militant all of a sudden?

So, what do you think of the new laws? And on a side note, why are French students so much more ready to rise in protest than British ones?

[wheresmyplacebo]

Originally Posted by stargalaxy

>> More pictures, click here >>
Why are the French people getting so militant all of a sudden?
?

aint they always been like that though

posted it twice?

[lipsy]

yeh they've been protesting for at least a week in the university i went to last year. they barricaded the place in, which stopped teachers gaining access. they also had daily meetings in the lecture halls about their next plan of action. bless 'em.

[Kentish]

The French are always protesting and blockading, but I think if 1 in 5 of my peers were out of work and I faced the prospect of being sacked from my job without notice and without reason I'd be a little upset too.

[stargalaxy]

Originally Posted by MrG

posted it twice?

My apologies, something went wrong with my connection at the time. I'll ask the other one be deleted.

[lipsy]

Originally Posted by stargalaxy

Why are the French people getting so militant all of a sudden?

they've always been like that!!

[Disillusioned]

France is presently unattractive to many foreign investors. France has high wages, ridiculously militant unions and uncompetitive and stifling employment laws. All this gives many other countries nearby the edge over France. Despite their problems it seems few people in France have realised that socialism rather than the solution to their problems is the source of their troubles. Although I don’t think there’s anything particularly ideological about a few students causing a bit of trouble.

[stargalaxy]

Originally Posted by Disillusioned

France is presently unattractive to many foreign investors. France has high wages, ridiculously militant unions and uncompetitive and stifling employment laws. All this gives many other countries nearby the edge over France.

In addition, taxes are higher there and growth in the economy is very slow - but we can blame the Euro for that. As for nearby countries, Germany's not doing too well, are they?

[Disillusioned]

Originally Posted by stargalaxy

In addition, taxes are higher there and growth in the economy is very slow - but we can blame the Euro for that. As for nearby countries, Germany's not doing too well, are they?

There's an interesting take on it here.

The whole of the EU in terms of growth performs poorly. The EU creates such enormous redtape and bureaucracy. If the EU were an American state it would be something like the 40th least productive – oh yeah, we’d be up there with the likes of Alabama and Kentucky.

[Aladdin]

Nothing wrong with the French always protesting. Don't you guys sometimes wish people in this country were a bit more proactive with any issues that are important to them?

[stargalaxy]

[quote=Disillusioned]There's an interesting take on it here. Writing from the USA, they see this in a completely different way, where employment laws seem slanted much further the other way round than they are in France.

Originally Posted by Disillusioned

The whole of the EU in terms of growth performs poorly. The EU creates such enormous redtape and bureaucracy. If the EU were an American state it would be something like the 40th least productive – oh yeah, we’d be up there with the likes of Alabama and Kentucky.

And people think the EU actually helps economic growth? Not a chance. Britain's economy is growing despite us being part of an useless, bureaucratic dictatorial basket case EU rather than because of it. The European Union seems a very socialist union to me.

Originally Posted by Aladdin

Nothing wrong with the French always protesting. Don't you guys sometimes wish people in this country were a bit more proactive with any issues that are important to them?

Too damn right I do. There should be protests at the monumental misgovernance of this country by Failed Labour. They're now trying to pass "The Tony Blair Enabling Act 2006" and nobody seems to whisper a word of protest. At least in France they'll actually rise up and protest. If Chirac and Villepin tried to pass something like this in France, the whole population would be on its way to Paris to overthrow the government!

[Aladdin]

Originally Posted by Disillusioned

There's an interesting take on it here.

The whole of the EU in terms of growth performs poorly. The EU creates such enormous redtape and bureaucracy. If the EU were an American state it would be something like the 40th least productive – oh yeah, we’d be up there with the likes of Alabama and Kentucky.

How about quality of life and basic working rights Disillusioned?

See how many people you can find who would be happy trade with US citizens.

Anyway, no thread too irrelevant to do a bit of EU bashing on eh? Your profound hatred of the EU is quite baffling to be honest...

[minimi38]

le travail du marché liberal, c'est non!!!!

ho he ho he hoo.

[Disillusioned]

Originally Posted by Aladdin

How about quality of life and basic working rights Disillusioned?

See how many people you can find who would be happy trade with US citizens.

Yes please! The US has lower income tax, lower sales tax, cheaper petrol and a significantly higher GDP per capita...So yeah I would (and will).

Originally Posted by Aladdin

Anyway, no thread too irrelevant to do a bit of EU bashing on eh? Your profound hatred of the EU is quite baffling to be honest...

It’s hardly baffling. The EU is a corrupt, wasteful and bullying waste of space, there are sound reasons to want out of it that I won’t go into now...