-
France set to pass emergency ‘budget law’: is it good or bad for your finances?
The country will effectively be without a budget from 2025, with knock-on effects for individuals and companies
-
EasyJet announces nine new flight routes from France including to UK
A service from Bordeaux to Birmingham is among the new announcements
-
French weekend weather outlook December 14 - 15: gloomy and chilly in the north
Cloudy skies are expected to dominate in the north, but in the south temperatures will still reach double figures
Macron gets green light to reform labour laws
Senators approve bill allowing government to fast-track reforms
Senators have given the green light a bill allowing the government to fast-track changes to France's labyrinthine labour laws.
Mr Macron and his government plan to pass a series of measures by executive order in late September, following negotiations with unions and employers' groups.
Liberalising France's labour market was one of the central planks of Mr Macron's election manifesto - and the planned changes have the support of many businesses.
The president wants to cut unemployment from 9.4% to 7% by 2022, give more flexibility to private employers over employment regulations and create more training opportunities to make sure jobseekers can take advantage of market demands.
His ambitions have been boosted by evidence of improving business confidence. A recent annual survey by Pôle Emploi shows that hiring intentions are up 8.2% year on year. In the construction industry, that figure rises to 22.5%.
Despite the approval of MPs and senators and improving business confidence, Mr Macron has been warned he will not have an easy ride. He has been in negotiations with union leaders for some time as he tries to avoid the problems faced by former President Francois Hollande's government when it tried to push through labour reforms - but the hardline CGT union has already called for nationwide strikes on September 12.
Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France