Plans face union opposition

Unions in France have reacted with outrage to two new proposals by the government.

The first is a two-day reduction in the number of public holidays, with employees in future working on Easter Monday and 8 May (commemorating the end of the Second World War in Europe).

Employers would make an additional financial contribution to the state, to take account of the extra days worked for free.

The second makes changes to unemployment benefit arrangements requiring workers to have a longer contribution record before they can access support.

All five main unions have launched a petition against the government’s plans and are holding joint talks to discuss how best to oppose them.