Macron's set to unveil proposed French labour law changes
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday was set to unveil a raft of proposed reforms to the country's labour laws in an attempt to lower its unemployment rate.
The planned changes, around one of the thorniest areas of French politics, include making it easier to hire and fire workers and bring negotiations with unions to a company, instead of national, level.
Also included is a plan that firms with fewer than 50 employees could negotiate with workers' representatives that not affiliated with unions.
In what is seen as a test of Macron's leadership, a failure to drive through any reform could put a halt to France's recent economic recovery.
Crucially for Macron, two oft he country's main trades unions have said they will not protest. The Force Ouvriere and CFDT have said they will not take to the streets. The far-left CGT is planning demonstrations on September 12.
Labour rights are regarded as hard won by French workers. An unemployment rate of almost 10% has been seen as a price worth paying for protecting them.
Former socialist prime minister Lionel Jospin, in defending state intervention in markets, famously said: “Yes to market economy, but no to market society.”