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WORLD NEWS Friday 1 September 2017
French labor law changes will make it easier to hire, fire

focused bosses. said make up nine out of 10
“Nobody today can seri- companies in France and
ously say that our ... labor are “at the heart” of the re-
law favors recruitment,” forms “for the first time.”
Prime Minister Edouard Under the reforms, com-
Philippe said in unveiling panies with fewer than 50
the five measures. “The la- employees can negotiate
bor law as it is in our coun- work rules with an elected
try is often perceived as an colleague — not unionized
obstacle to recruiting, an — and companies with
obstacle to investment.” fewer than 20 employees
Still, Philippe conceded the can negotiate directly with
government was treading their workers.
on risky territory politically. Another new measure
Even before the reforms caps the financial penalty
were unveiled, the hardline for companies sued by dis-
CGT union called for a day missed employees, easing
of action Sept. 12, and on concerns of bosses who
Thursday it encouraged re- fear that firing has become
tirees and students to join too costly. The measure
in. Far-left leader Jean-Luc creates a scale of remu-
Melenchon has called for neration based on the em-
another protest on Sept. 23. ployee’s seniority.
France’s Prime Minister Edouard Philippe gives a media conference with Labor Minister Muriel
Penicaud in Paris, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017. France’s prime minister says five bold, and divisive, One key measure pro- Yet another change sim-
labor reforms are meant to “cure” not “treat the symptoms” of France’s high long-standing jobless posed by the government plifies the departures of a
rate. trims the role of unions, group of employees if the
(AP Photo/Thibault Camus) notably in small- and me- company needs to adapt
By ELAINE GANLEY Overhauling France’s com- fear the changes hand dium-size companies — its staff, with direct negotia-
Associated Press plex labor laws, which au- too much power to profit- which the prime minister tions with those leaving. q
PARIS (AP) — President Em- thorities say have proved
manuel Macron’s most dar- a hindrance to investors
ing undertaking, reforming and employers, is part of a
France’s nearly sacrosanct larger program by Macron
labor laws, got cheers and to stimulate France’s slug-
jeers as it went public Thurs- gish economy. The high-
day. It trims union powers, stakes move comes just as
adds a voice for small busi- the new 39-year-old presi-
nesses and creates easier dent’s popularity is sinking.
ways to hire and fire work- But plans to make the labor
ers. market more flexible were
The measures meant to at the heart of his election
foster growth, reduce the campaign.
nation’s stubbornly high Opponents have feared
unemployment and revolu- changes will weaken
tionize the way the French France’s hard-won worker
work will get a hearing in protections that have be-
the streets, with two pro- come globally synonymous
tests planned for Septem- with the envied French life-
ber. style. Left-wing opponents

French police detain wedding
guest in case of missing girl

By JOHN LEICESTER when the girl disappeared
Associated Press in Pont-de-Beauvoisin,
PARIS (AP) — French police 85 kilometers (53 miles)
have detained a wedding from Lyon in southeastern
guest for questioning in France.
connection with the search The detained person is a
for a nine-year-old girl who man, according to another
went missing at a weekend official close to the police
wedding party in the Alps. investigation, who spoke
The 34-year-old was de- on condition of anonym-
tained Thursday, prosecu- ity because he was not
tor Dietlind Baudoin said in authorized to discuss the
a statement. case.
The prosecutor warned “This is horrendous. I hope
against jumping to conclu- we are going to find her,”
sions. She said police want- said Joelle Martin, mayor of
ed to clarify the where- the nearby village of Saint-
abouts of a guest who left Martin de Vaulserre, who
the celebrations around attended the wedding.q