Roundup: Anger mounts against controversial labor code reform

French labor unions and student organizations posed new challenges to the Socialist Party government by staging fresh nationwide protests on Thursday to try to press officials to loosen labor rules, which they say favor employers.

Seven labor unions called for a new wave of massive street protests. In a further sign of a continued tough showdown over labor reform, they threaten to block the country's economic activity by way of a series of planned strikes in rail and maritime transport to defy the ruling Socialists.

Dogged by record low popularity and haunted by broken economic promises, the ruling French party attempted to pass the controversial law without lawmakers' approval, a move that fueled critics and provoked indignation over "a denial of democracy."

"It's time to move up a gear. Mobilization is necessary more than ever," Philippe Martinez, head of the large CGT labor union told L'Humanite newspaper.

In response to the government's efforts to push through the labor code reform bill, trade unions invited French voters to take part in two additional protests scheduled for May 17 and 19.

"Parliamentary debate has begun. A majority is not won (to pass the text), so we have to keep pressure because it's a matter of rights and social, economic and republican dignity," wrote Jean-Claude Mailly, the general secretary of FO union.

Crowds gathered in French cities and thousands of angry voters walked to the National Assembly where lawmakers were examining a censure motion to dissolve government after it resorted to a decree to pass the reform.

In Paris, up to 12,500 demonstrators participated in the fifth such action in two months, police data showed. The union CGT put the number at 50,000.

Despite security reinforcements, tension was high and violent incidents tainted marches in Paris, Bordeaux in southwestern France, and the eastern town of Nantes where two people were arrested, according to local media.

Riot police also arrested two people in the French capital for throwing projectiles at officers, Paris prefecture said on its Twitter account.

In addition to growing street pressure, several in the ruling Socialist camp challenged President Francois Hollande to change the country's strictly codified labor code, widening rifts in the left-wing that could undermine the president's chances to enjoy a large majority ahead of the 2017 presidential election.

Despite widespread opposition and growing public disenchantment, Hollande rebuffed the accusation he was pro-business.

He argued the labor reform was "a text of progress" which aims at softening layoff rules, reducing overtime pay and economic redundancies, and negotiating working hours and holidays.

With his back to the wall, Hollande hoped the disputed reform would help him regain popularity ahead of the upcoming race for the Elysee Palace. Endit