Chirac offers new concessions in labor law to end protests
MIL/Agencies, Apr 1, 2006.
Jacques Chirac, French President, offered new concessions over the contentious labor reforms on Friday night but his move has divided the country while trying to safeguard the political future of his Prime Minister, Dominique de Villepin.
Nicolas Sarkozy, the Interior Minister and Mr de Villepin's rival to succeed Mr Chirac next year, welcomed the President's announcement and said it is a a "wise decision".
The President appreciated that he would look into certain changes for the youth employment law so as to pacify their protests.
While stressing the need for economic reform, he said," "We must work to end this shocking situation where companies, because they fear excessive rigidity of the labor market, prefer to refuse orders or move overseas instead of hiring new staff."
On one side the President offered certain concessions and on the other he wanted to save Mr de Villepin, the middle way for a compromise. So, he announced that he would sign into law relating to the new jobs policy and said it was "an efficient instrument for increasing employment".
His speech is likely to affront an angry reaction from the millions of students and workers who have protested against the policy in recent weeks but it is not final. Though the unions rejected the offer, still hopes are not lost on both sides.
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