France: draft law on labor law reform sees the youth take to the streets

Faced with union opposition, significant mobilization using the social networks, and an online petition that has, to date, received almost 900,000 signatures, Prime Minister Manuel Valls announced on Monday 29 February, that the Council of Ministers would put back the March 09 date that had been set for it to adopt the draft law. During the upcoming fortnight the government will once again meet with the social partners. The youth cohort, at the front line of the current protest is gearing up for gatherings next week. The union organizations are themselves due to meet on 03 March to decide on what, if any, action to take.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

Several mobilizations, several expectations. The online petition was launched on 18 February by a group of militant more or less left leaning Socialist party sympathizers the day after leaks to the press over the draft reform law for the labor market and it has received almost 900,000 signatures in a fortnight (Labor law: No thank you! on change.org). That is in excess of the 700,000 received against same-sex marriage, the other big social network struggle marking François Hollande’s five year

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
TRENDS IN 2026 — Reducing workplace absence at all costs: a major challenge for Europe
Workplace absence is on the rise across Europe, particularly among women, older employees and, since the Covid-19 pandemic, young people under the age of 30. Faced with this growing problem, some...
14 January 2026
Italy: banking group Intesa Sanpaolo sharpens focus on quality of life at work
Over the Christmas period Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy's largest bank, penned with trade unions a deal to renew the first part of the company agreement, covering work-life balance, inclusion, parenthood...
14 January 2026
Vincent Lecerf (Orange): “Equality and diversity are competitive advantages for us”
Following the signing of a new agreement on professional equality and diversity in December, the chief HR officer of French multinational telecommunications corporation Orange Group, Vincent...
13 January 2026
United Kingdom: government urged to legislate against forced labour
After consulting victims, businesses and NGOs, the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner (IASC) has published a report showing that the UK is lagging behind in the fight against forced labour. The...
13 January 2026
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
EU: social partners in telecoms sign joint statement on AI
On 16 December, the social partners in Europe's telecommunications sector unveiled a joint statement on artificial intelligence. They propose an action plan for skills and commit to raising...
18 December 2025
2
Italy: collective agreement for rubber and plastics sector focuses on new skills
A month ahead of schedule, the Federazione Gomma Plastica employers' organisation and the Filctem-Cgil, Femca-Cisl and Uiltec trade unions have renewed the collective agreement for the rubber and...
5 January 2026
3
France: social partner talks extend far beyond contractual terminations
After a false start on 3 December, French social partners resumed talks on 7 January 2026 on potential changes to the unemployment insurance agreement, including the rules governing compensation...
12 January 2026
4
Italy: banking group Intesa Sanpaolo sharpens focus on quality of life at work
Over the Christmas period Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy's largest bank, penned with trade unions a deal to renew the first part of the company agreement, covering work-life balance, inclusion, parenthood...
14 January 2026