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French gov't revises controversial labor reform bill

Xinhua, March 15, 2016 Adjust font size:

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Monday presented a revised version of a labor reform bill that triggered nationwide protests and further weakened the ruling Socialist camp months ahead a presidential election.

At a meeting with trade unions, Valls presented the revised bill in order to "give more flexibilities to businesses, and more protection for employees."

The new version of the draft bill included additional compensation pay for dismissed workers and no long binding guideline as requested by some social partners.

In addition, the bill pledged to give more financial aid to poor young people and reinforce training of unskilled people without work.

The government's move to appease opponents sparked mixed reactions with unions Force Ouvriere and CGT, which maintained their request to withdraw the text, while CFDT secretary general Laurent Berger praised the new version of the reform which, according to him, was "progress for youth and employees."

The government is to present the reformed labor code at a cabinet meeting on March 24 before putting it to the National Assembly to vote on in May.

Hundreds of thousands of students, trade union members, and workers staged massive demonstrations across the country on March 9 to express their refusal of the reform over fears it would further weaken workers' economic situations.

More protesters plan to take to the streets on March 17. Endit