Getting their way

3 Apr 2006 By Edward Hadas

The French president wants to soften the controversial CPE employment law. The decision undercuts de Villepin, his Prime Minister. It s close to a total surrender to the mob. After this, it’s even less likely that de Villepin’s government will attempt any major reforms.

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Jacques Chirac signed the CPE law, which provides for a twoyear contract for firsttime workers who are less than 26 years old. The French President, however, said the law would not go into force. Rather, he asked parliament to draft a new CPE, which would shorten the initial contract to one year and require employers to state the reason for any dismissal. The unions and students vowed to continue with their protests against the law.

The unemployment rate in France was 9.6% in January. It was 10.1% a year earlier.

French GDP growth for the fourth quarter of 2005 was revised from 0.2% to 0.4%.

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