http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?slug=Unrest+continues+in+France&id=86517

France protests intensify

Noopur Tiwari

Tuesday, April 4, 2006 (Paris):

The unrest in France over the new labour law is widening, as the protestors had yet another successful round of demonstrations and strikes all across the country on Tuesday.

The new law proposed by Prime Minister Dominique De Villepin is aimed at bringing down youth unemployment in the country, which is as high as 25 per cent.

The situation is worse in areas with high immigrant populations, where unemployment among the youth is to the tune of 50 per cent.

But while the law was passed in the Parliament without much consultation, it has sparked off a nationwide movement.

Complete rollback

President Jacques Chirac's address to the nation promising a "toning down" of the controversial aspects of the law too has failed to pacify the protesters, who are insisting on the complete withdrawal of the law.

"This law must be scraped. As soon as it's withdrawn then interesting discussions can begin to try and favour the employment situation," said Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe.

Many trade unions have now called strikes that have disrupted public transport. The left wing opposition and nearly two thirds of the general public are also supporting the students' demands.

France has a long tradition of street protests for the right of workers and public opinion is known to have put pressure on governments to bring about changes. The new law seems to have given a fresh platform to the people to voice their anger and discontentment about the current situation.

The government is now faced with the tough task of finding a solution to the immediate crisis and a longer-term solution to the problem of unemployment.

"longer-term solution to the problem of unemployment"

How about cutting massive taxes on businesses?
How about cutting massive income taxes?
How about eliminating huge bureaucracies?

Nah.