Keyword: employment

The problem of unemployment is France is well-documented and discussed each month when the latest jobless totals are published. Less well-known, however, is the issue of underemployment affecting people on short-term contracts, in temporary jobs, on workplace experience or those trying to become self-employed. As Mathilde Goanec explains, there are two constant factors in this world of workplace insecurity – a rapid turnover in jobs and ever-greater problems in eventually finding full-time fixed employment.

Protests over planned employment law changes led by student groups and unions are yet another challenge for embattled President Hollande.

The reform will reduce role of lengthy labour code by setting principles and replacing national bargaining with firm-by-firm negotiations.

Former junior minister for urban affairs, who has limited government experience, faces key task of bringing down France's jobless rate.

Insecure, short-term work is becoming the norm among many sections of French society. Fixed-term contracts lasting for up to only 18 months, jobs exempted from strict employment rules and temporary work or seasonal posts are now the lot of thousands of workers, particularly women, young people and 'senior citizens' over the age of 50. And this employment 'flexibility' looks set to be extended. Prime minister Manuel Valls has said he is considering plans to adjust the full-time permanent employment contract in France to ensure that bosses of smaller firms are not “bound hand and foot” by rules and regulations. Yet, as the most recent jobless figures show, the labour force flexibility that already exists is singularly failing to dent the relentless march of unemployment in the country. Mediapart's Mathilde Goanec spoke to people on the wrong side of this brave new world of flexible working.

Number of people registered as out of work rose by 0.4 per cent last month, casting cloud over President Hollande's hopes of economic recovery.

Minister says 500 firms were ordered to meet legal requirements, while private-sector gap between men's and women's salaries is estimated at 27%.

Summit hosted by French president Francois Hollande pledges to make youth unemployment top priority but offers no new ideas to tackle it.

Speaking on prime-time television a bullish Hollande insisted that 'we are almost there' on efforts to tackle unemployment in the country.

Airline accused of infringing law in contracts with 127 staff at Marseille airport as ruse to avoid paying its fair share of social security and tax.

President Hollande leads chorus of approval over deal that will give more flexibility to employers but also offer more protection to employees.

“Decline is not our destiny" French president tells his first full press conference at Elysée palace as he battles to dispel doubts over leadership.

French president says in a TV interview that carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroen's plan to cut 8,000 jobs is not acceptable and needs to be renegotiated.

The French car manufacturer's cost-cutting plans are likely to lead to thousands more job losses, according to unions.