35-hour work week ended by senate

Economic reforms that effectively end the 35-hour work week have been passed.

A law allowing employees to directly negotiate working hours with their employer was among reforms voted through.

The 35-hour week was aimed at cutting unemployment and the French statistics institute INSEE said it created 350,000 new jobs between 1998 and 2002, but at the cost of billions of euros in state aid to companies.

It follows recently ratified laws aimed at improving the economy such as legislation to ensure primary school children are looked after by local authorities during teachers’ strikes.

Unions will also have to give warning of strikes and attend negotiations in advance. The law aims to allow parents to continue at work during teachers’ strikes.

Another law toughens up rules regarding unemployment benefit.

Under the new law concerning the unemployed, jobseekers will have their unemployment benefits stopped if they turn down a certain number of "reasonable" job offers made to them.

Photo: Afp