French labor reform protesters denounce Macron’s ‘assault on workers’ rights’

On Aug 31, 2017

YemenExtra

Several hundred activists have taken to the streets of a Paris suburb, protesting against new labor reforms which will make it easier for companies to hire and fire workers, and accusing President Emmanuel Macron of failing to represent the people.

The rally, organized by a group of trade unions, Solidaires and the CGT as well as associations like Attac France and Members of the Right to Housing (DAL), denounced the reforms of the labor code that is currently under government discussion.

Protesters arrived at the HEC School of Management in the Jouy-en-Josas suburb –where France’s largest employer federation MEDEF are hosting their ‘Summer University’ – to speak out against the perceived influence of the French business lobby over their newly elected business friendly president.

The Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF), has been making their own demands to Macron’s government as it works to reform the country’s Labor Code. Speaking to Europe 1 radio, the vice-president of MEDEF Thibault Lanxade confirmed that his organization has great “confidence” in the reforms carried out by Macron.

Protesters however believe that MEDEF, which represents over 750,000 companies of all sizes, does not represent the interests of workers.

Francois Hollande’s Socialist government sparked months of protests trying to push through a less ambitious labor bill last year.