Regards, Ivan
Posted on 04/04/2006 6:58:56 AM PDT by MadIvan
French public transport and air services are being disrupted in a day of nationwide protests against a new youth employment law.
Unions and student groups are hoping to repeat last week's rallies when more than a million people marched across the country against the CPE contracts.
However, there are hints that protest leaders may be preparing to enter talks with the government.
The law making it easy to hire and fire young people came into force on Sunday.
However the government has asked employers not to apply the law until amendments are made.
There are reports that more than 100,000 protesters are already marching in some cities, in what is a fifth day of nationwide protests in two months.
More than 200 rallies are planned over the course of the day, with the main rally set to get under way in Paris shortly.
Transport is being affected nationwide, although the impact appears weaker than a similar strike a week ago:
Civil aviation authorities report some delays at French airports and some internal flights are cancelled
Two-thirds of high-speed intercity rail links are operating normally
The Paris metro is operating almost normally and so are buses
Transport strikes are held in 32 other towns and cities including Marseille and Toulouse
Truce in sight?
Thousands of riot police are being deployed to prevent a repeat of the clashes and vandalism that marred several previous demonstrations, particularly in Paris.
There are, however, some signs that protesters may be willing to negotiate.
Bernard Thibault, head of trade union CGT, said the action was aimed at getting the law withdrawn as it is now legally in force.
"The law can therefore be enforced even though we've got the president and ministers at the same time jumping through hoops, the like of which we've never seen before and with good reason, asking employers not to enforce it," he told French radio.
"I hope the demonstrations will help us deal a fatal blow to the CPE."
On Friday, President Chirac pledged to shorten from two years to one the period in which young people could be fired and said employers would need a reason for the dismissal.
But trade unions say the proposed amendments are unacceptable.
French newspapers say Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy has effectively taken over from Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin in the search for a solution.
The two men are tipped as rivals as candidates for the right to succeed President Jacques Chirac in the 2007 presidential election.
Mr Sarkozy now seems to be the man in control, talking to the unions behind the scenes about what should happen next, the BBC's Caroline Wyatt reports.
Mr de Villepin's poll ratings for his handling of the economy have slumped to the lowest level since he took office nearly a year ago, in a survey released on Tuesday.
Mr de Villepin's government says the law will help tackle high levels of youth unemployment - currently running at more than 20%.
Regards, Ivan
Ping!
I guess all the 20%+ unemployed people in their twenties have a lot of free time. They have their government to thank.
Nice to know that France has bred a generation of Spoiled brats! In a democracy there are not guarantees of a job just the right to compete for one. What idiots - the college students that are protesting haven't learned a thing.
not=no
Il n'y a pas d'honte être français. Il y a seulement l'honte dans rester de français.
(There is no shame in being French. There is only shame in staying French.)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
Sort of interesting to watch France self destruct. It's sort of like a bad soap opera - I keep wondering what's going to happen next.
The amazing thing is, most French seem to be convinced that they are the ones doing it right.
It's Tuesday....time to protest!
All this over a proposed law that would have helped youth get a job.
French students retreat from advancing riot police during a demonstration against the First Job Contract (CPE) in Rennes, April 4, 2006
Thousands of unionists and students demonstrate against the French government's labor laws in Paris Tuesday April 4, 2006.(AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Riot police clash with a student during a demonstration against the First Job Contract (CPE)
in Rennes April 4, 2006. French transport workers and teachers staged new strikes on Tuesday
and students across the country gathered for street protests they hope will kill off the disputed CPE, a youth hire-and-fire law.
If it's Tuesday that means riots in France....
French students retreat from advancing riot police during a demonstration against the First Job Contract (CPE) in Rennes April 4, 2006. French transport workers and teachers staged new strikes on Tuesday and students across the country gathered for street protests they hope will kill off the disputed CPE, a youth hire-and-fire law.
Beat them again!!!
Employment opportunity should be relatively equal based on talent, connections, and opportunity for investment (as in a family owned business).
The French deserve the riots they ask for.
Folks who condemn the kids fail to condemn their elders who continue to have the right to a lifetime job.
Unless France applies the law to all, this law should not apply to any.
Trust the French to always be elementally unfair.
I never knew the charm of spring
I never met it face to face
I never new my heart could sing
I never missed a warm embrace
Till april in paris, chestnuts in blossom
Holiday tables under the trees
April in paris, this is a feeling
That no one can ever reprise
I never knew the charm of spring
I never met it face to face
I never new my heart could sing
I never missed a warm embrace
Till april in paris
Whom can I run to
What have you done to my heart
LOL!
Chirac turned into a frog after kissing classy Condi's hand...
watch him, he smiles!
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