Hollande Pledges to stick with reform package

French President Francois Hollande said Friday that he would continue to pursue an overhaul to rules governing the labour market, despite a series of nationwide protests and strikes. "I wanted this reform. It is in accordance with everything we have done over the past four years, and that is producing results. I am in favour of us seeing this through," Hollande told reporters in Ise-Shima, Japan, where he was attending a G7 summit with world leaders. 

    He said that his hope was that it would become a law accepted by everyone in France, but added that the primary work of the government was to ensure the freedom of movement and the ability of the economy to function.

    Strikes at fuel refineries, nuclear power plants, and among train operators and air traffic controllers this week have disrupted travel across France. A day of strikes and protests on Thursday saw some demonstrators scuffle with police. The reforms are aimed at relaxing some regulations governing the labour market, making dismissals easier and changing the rules governing negotiations on working time. 

    The seven umbrella unions who have spearheaded the protests said that they would continue to mobilize against the labour reforms until the legislation is withdrawn. "Every day should be a new surge in the mobilization," the unions said in a joint statement.

Source: QNA