Revised French Labor Code Sparks Outrage

Waves of protests shook France after the federal government announced planned revisions to the country’s labor code on March 9, Le Monde reported. The revisions would allow workers to work more than 60 hours per week, authorize severe redundancy plans even if a company is economically stable, and reduce compensation in case of illegal dismissal. Prime Minister Manuel Valls stated that the law is necessary to encourage employment in France and create a more flexible atmosphere for employers. The law has come under serious criticism from the left wing, further dividing Valls’ Socialist Party (PS). Valls stressed that such reforms are imperative for France. During an interview on the French radio channel RTL, he claimed that the law would bring employers greater freedom in hiring practices and allow for more dialogue between employers and employees. Furthermore, Le Figaro reports that the Prime Minister has not excluded the possibility of using an executive order if a majority of the National Assembly does not approve the law.

This law has reinforced existing divisions within the Socialist Party. Martine Aubry, former Secretary General of the Socialist Party, wrote an open letter to Manuel Valls, published in Le Monde, decrying the government's actions. She strongly criticized the reform plan, claiming that she felt bewildered by the labor code reform which appear to be “a pact with the MEDEF [a French employer federation] which will reveal itself to be a fool’s deal.” Aubry believes that she, not Valls, represents the progressive wing of the Socialist Party. She expressed her intense worry about the disregard for Socialist principles within the government.

French feminist and socialist militant, Caroline de Haas launched a petition asking for the withdrawal of the law the day after its official announcement. Within four days the petition already had 400,000 signatures; within two weeks that number reached one million, an unprecedented achievement for a petition in France. The petition highlights a number of points which greatly undermine workers’ rights under the law.

Labor unions have also organized several protests. Approximately 500,000 people attended,  according to French Newspaper L’express.  The protests have occurred throughout France, and critics plan to continue protesting until the law is abolished.

Many of France’s liberals continue to worry about the absence of socialism in the government’s political agenda. Jean Luc Mélenchon, president of the Leftist Party (PG), claimed on his personal blog that President Francois Hollande and Prime Minister Valls only follow the directives of the MEDEF and Brussels without considering . He added that the government is recycling the right and the National Front’s propositions  and turning its back on socialism.

Valls and his ministers have reviewed the law and changed several clauses in light of public protests, according to Le Monde. However, the lack of unity within the Socialist Party makes it unlikely that the law will be ratified by the Assembly without the use of an executive order.

Note: An abbreviated version of this article appear in print on March 22, 2016.