French labour code at final stages


The controversial changes to the French labour code look likely to be finally adopted, despite opposition from two of France’s five main union confederations. 


With the government again using a constitutional procedure that allows it to bypass the need for a parliamentary majority, the last parliamentary stages were completed on 21 July. 


There is now a period of a further month when it is possible for it to be challenged on the grounds that it is unconstitutional. 


However, although the legislative procedure may be over, the opposition is likely to continue. The final protest before the summer, on 5 July, was smaller than those that had preceded it, but unions and other groups organising the protest plan a further day of action on 15 September.