It seems as if the CPE (the new French labor law that was causing all the ruckus in France for the past several weeks) is dead.
Quoting from today's NY Times:
French President Jacques Chirac announced today that a contested labor law would be taken off the books, handing a victory to student groups and labor unions who have demonstrated in the millions in recent weeks to have the measure scrapped.
The announcement is a blow for Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, the chief architect of the law, who until late last week still categorically ruled out dropping the legislation. It comes only eight days after Mr. Chirac had formally enacted the legislation, albeit with promises of a speedy revision and far-reaching modifications.
But over the last week, students and union officials made it clear that they would not be satisfied with anything less than a withdrawal of article 8 — the part of the legislation which creates a controversial new contract that makes it easier for employers to fire young workers.Speaking shortly after Mr. Chirac issued his statement, Mr. Villepin said that it was no longer feasible to maintain the measure.
"The necessary conditions of confidence and serenity are not there today, neither on the part of the young people, nor on the part of companies to apply the First Employment Contract," Mr. Villepin said in a televised address shortly after Mr. Chirac had issued his statement.
"I wanted to act quickly because the dramatic situation and the desperation of so many young people demand it," he said. "That was not understood by everyone and I regret that."
Early reactions appeared to be favorable.
"The CPE is dead and buried," said Jean-Claude Mailly of the FO union. "The goal has been achieved."
Maybe this article should have been posted in the Obituary section instead of the front page. And maybe now the French people can enjoy the Easter holidays without worrying about another major strike and the accompanying violence... I think everyone has earned a break from the stress.
The truly sad part, in my opinion, is how resistant many in France seem to be, to changing labor laws that seem to be creating not opportunity, but obsolescence. Sooner or later, SOMETHING is going to have to change over there. It's that principle of "evolve or die": what does not evolve willingly will evolve anyway through pain and struggle, because change MUST happen. It's a question of putting up with a little pain now, and changing things by choice... and resisting the short-term pain and instead having even more trouble later on. Perhaps the CPE wasn't the right solution, or perhaps it simply wasn't handled tactfully. But one way or another, things will need to change.
In the meantime, the CPE, or at least the CPE as it was originally intended, is a goner.
