Congratulations to the French for giving up on a failing socialist program... limiting earning potential and creating unemployment is no way to run an economy and only hurts everyone in it. Can you imagine the hysteria that 10% unemployment in the U.S. would cause? The peak jobless stat in the recent U.S. recession was around 6%, and Little Lord Fauntleroy and the rest of the Democrats were painting that as nothing short of the Great Depression.
Link: With mixed feelings, France dismantles 35-hour work week: South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
This is good news, but in many industries/companies, a hard negotiation will have to take place with unions to determine "post 35h" rules, etc. Whilst this will allow companies to uncap the number of hours being worked, all the benefits (additional paid vacation, etc.) will still remain, at least from what I have understood.
Better than keeping the terms of the law in full effect though.
Posted by: Jeff Clavier | Mar 23, 2005 at 10:14 AM
yeah, I know. Changing the law doesn't do much to undo the labor agreements that are industrywide, and that's going to be a tough fight. Nonetheless, this is a first start and a very important step.
Posted by: jeff | Mar 23, 2005 at 02:24 PM