News / France

France police clash with students clash over labor reforms

Thursday, 24 March 2016 5:58 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 24 March 2016 6:22 PM ]

French students and activists march on March 24, 2016 in Paris, during a demonstration against the implementation of new labor legislation. (AFP photo)

A series of violent clashes have erupted between French police and angry students who staged massive rallies against government’s unpopular reforms in the labor sector.

On Thursday, large crowds of university and high school students along with members of labor unions took to the streets of the capital Paris, the western cities of Nantes and Rennes, and the southern city of Lyon to denounce President Francois Hollande's austerity plans targeting maximum working hours, holidays, and pay on rest breaks.

The protesters chanted anti-government slogans and also held up banners that read: "All together against the Labor law" and "Young and insurgent, the world is ours" to express their opposition to the legislation.

Fierce scuffles broke out after protesters threw bottles at police which retaliated by firing tear gas to disperse the crowds. A few people were slightly injured during the latest protest rallies.

This is the third time anti-reform rallies, organized by labor unions, turn violent across France since the beginning of this month.

The demonstrators are dissatisfied with the proposed reforms introduced by Labor Minister Maryam el-Khormi.

The much-hated reforms have put almost all aspects of France’s strict labor regulations up for discussion between employers and the employees.

According to protesters, the government must withdraw the draft law because it prevents employers from employing new workforce.

The bill was formally adopted Thursday at a Cabinet meeting and is to be discussed next month at parliament.

However, the revised version has failed to calm student protesters and labor unions.

A protester holds a placard reading "All together against the Labor law" on March 24, 2016 in Rennes, western France, during a demonstration against the French government's unpopular labor reforms. (AFP photo)

Prime Minister Manuel Valls has touted the reforms as "intelligent, audacious and necessary in particular for reversing unemployment.

The government claims that the reforms liberalize the country’s strict labor regulations. Opponents say, however, that the main aim of reforms is to make it easier for employers to lay off workers.

A series of recently conducted surveys show that most French people oppose the proposed reforms.

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