On March 31, citizens of Paris, Lyon, Nantes, Marseille, and other cities joined massive strikes to challenge plans to loosen the country's severe labor laws. The reforms would give employers more flexibility to agree in-house deals with employees on working time. Payments for extra hours are to be agreed directly with employees without involvement of unions.
On the photo, Parisians protesting against the labor reform on March 31.
Civil servants, employees of the private sector, people from youth movements took part in the demonstration against the draft labor bill to be debated in the parliament next week.
On the photo, a policeman at the rally in Paris on March 31.
Critics say the reforms will lead to worse working conditions and more sackings. "Small employees are treated like dirt, we've had enough," said Jean-Luc Gutel, a CGT representative who works in the delivery service in Paris.
On the photo, the rally at Nantes on March 31.
Unions are certain that the new labor bill will lead to the opposite effect than it was intended. Layoffs will be more frequent and employers will demand lots of overtime work.
Unions said they planned further rallies on April 5 and 9. Leaders noted the protests would not end until the draft labor bill was withdrawn entirely.
On the day of the strike, tourists had trouble with sightseeing. The Eiffel Tower, the most famous landmark, was closed as its staff joined the rally.
On March 31, state railway SNCF cut some services by 40 to 50% on Thursday. The underground in Paris did not follow the schedule.
On the photo, a citizen of Marseille is protesting on March 31.
Besides, high-school students went to show their discontent with the new labor code. Teenagers were building barricades to block entrances to schools. Some colleges in Paris suspended work on April 1.
On the photo, Parisians are taking part in the strike.
On the photo, clashes in Nantes.
On the photo, policemen are on the alert at the strike in Paris.
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