France: following recent mobilization, the government reviews its draft labor law reform

On Monday 14 March the Prime Minister unveiled a corrected version of the draft labor reform law that incorporates three major changes. Ceilings applied to compensation amounts awarded by the labor tribunals in cases of unfair dismissal are being scrapped and the payment scale will be only for indication purposes. Dismissal on the grounds of economic reasons is to be geographically restricted to France with monitoring by a judge being a possibility. Finally, the youth guarantee for the young out of work or with no training will become a universal right. On the union side, the CFDT has welcomed the changes although neither the FO nor the CGT is satisfied and they continue to call for the text to be withdrawn. On the employer side, Medef is calling on the government ‘not to unravel the text any further’.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

Following a week of negotiations with the social partners and after demonstrations saw some 250,000 protesting on the streets (c.f. article No. 9543), and with more union action in the pipeline, the government presented a new version of its draft labor law reform.

Controversial compensation payment scales that were set to mark an official ceiling for labor tribunal compensation awards are now in place for indication purposes only. “This payment range will be written into the law and will serve a

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
France: sectors feel economic slowdown to differing degrees
The latest data on France’s occupational sectors (branches professionnelles), covering the year 2023, show how employment trends are shaping workplace dynamics. After a more favourable period for...
United Kingdom: Parliament finally passes Employment Rights Bill
The UK Labour government's flagship reform of employment rights was passed by both houses on 16 December after a turbulent parliamentary process. The bill introduces numerous changes to labour...
18 December 2025
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
EU: MEPs demand directive on algorithmic management
Members of the European Parliament have called for a directive on algorithmic management. Such legislation would introduce obligations for companies to inform employees, assess health and safety...
17 December 2025
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
Spain: new terms and conditions for in-company training contracts
On 25 November, Spain's Council of Ministers approved a regulation on training contracts. This text defines the terms and conditions for hosting work-study students and interns doing professional...
2
EU: Commission issues first recommendation on human capital as part of European Semester
In parallel with the European Semester adopted on 25 November, which proposes guidelines to member states on economic policies for the coming year, the European Commission has adopted an...
3
France: sectors feel economic slowdown to differing degrees
The latest data on France’s occupational sectors (branches professionnelles), covering the year 2023, show how employment trends are shaping workplace dynamics. After a more favourable period for...
4
Germany: apprenticeship openings fall sharply in manufacturing and chemicals
From 1 January 2026, Dutch collective agreements for temporary employment agencies will alter the employment conditions of temp workers. Agencies will be required to pay these workers at least the...