Macron gets green light to reform labour laws

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.