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Roundup: French PM sees possible modification of labor reform as strikes, blockades continue

Xinhua, May 26, 2016 Adjust font size:

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Thursday said it was possible to modify the controversial labor code reform as a stand-off with France's biggest union CGT escalated.

"There could still be changes, improvements. But, there will be no change in the philosophy of the text," Valls said.

Facing growing anger and alarming wave of strikes, the French prime minister reiterated the determination to press through the reform which, according to him, was "useful" for workers as it offers them more rights as well as for unions and youths.

"What are the alternatives? The withdrawal of the text? It's not possible," he added in an interview with BFMTV news channel and RMC radio.

"I respect the CGT, but its' not the CGT that can block the country. It is not the CGT that imposes a law," he stressed.

On Thursday, France saw nationwide protests, the eighth such action since March, with hundreds of rallies expected throughout the country's cities.

The reform set to make easier recruitment and layoffs too, has given fuel to broader industrial action at refineries, ports, power plants and public transport operators. Workers has pledged further movements to express the refusal to the reform which they say would increase low-paid jobs.

A strike was staged in France's 19 nuclear power on Thursday, causing a cut in nuclear power by at least 4 gigawatts (GW), or equivalent to about 6 percent of the country's total production capacity, according to grid operator RTE.

Stoppages at five refineries and pickets at petrol depots prompted fuel shortages across the country, leaving up to 30 percent of the 12,500 pump stations dry. As a result, the government said it would use strategic oil reserves for two days.

SNCF expected less disrupted traffic, compared to last week, with almost normal local rail connection. Four high-speed TGV out of five will run, and more than two thirds of regional trains will operate.

At Orly airport, 15 percent of flights are cancelled, the aviation authorities DGCA said.

The controversial labor reform had automatically passed its first reading in parliament earlier this month after the French prime minister resorted to a 49-3 decree, to push through the law without parliament vote.

The government has the right to use the same decree to pass the text in following readings.

"I express again our determination to carry out the reforms (which) will go to Parliament and will be adopted definitely in July," Valls said in a recent TV interview. Endit