Most of us have become used to seeing workmen disappear on Friday afternoon because their 35 hours are complete (not really that simple...) but the new Minister of Economy, Emmanuel Macron, has aimed a shot at the left's sacred cow, the 35 hour week. In an interview in Le Point he suggests that where a firm, with the agreement of its workers, wishes to derogate from the law it will be allowed. Introduced by Martine Aubrey in 1999 the regulation of hours has been seen as a hindrance to employment rather than a measure to "share" work.
The very social democrat ideas coming from Valls and Macron are encouraging the employers (standing ovation for Valls at the MEDEF yesterday) and driving a wedge into Hollande's majority in the Assembly.
Socialist supporters have been shocked at Macron's suggestion that French workers' rights are a handicap to those without work - the fact that he used to work for a bank does not go down too well on the left! They think he is an "ultra liberal".
Whatever, something needs to be done to halt the rise in unemployment which has been going on for years now. Perhaps a decent dose of social democracy will be the answer.
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