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UNI Global Union stands in solidarity with French workers over attack on labour rights

More than a million take to streets of France to protest against proposed changes to labour laws

More than one million people have taken part in protests and industrial action in France, against proposed changes to labour laws.

The mobilisation was organised by the CGT and CGT-FO national trade union centres.

UNI Global Union General Secretary Philip Jennings said, “We are seeing a wave of attacks on workers’ rights in Europe, from the UK to Finland through France. The people of the country of Liberté, Fraternité and Egalité have spoken, they will not lie down and accept an attack on their basic labour rights. UNI Global Union stands in solidarity with our French affiliates.”

“The French government, and all politicians in the country, should heed the strong message from today’s mobilisation, and from the many other organisations which have expressed their concerns, over the impacts of the proposals from the moment they were first put forward by the government. The idea that weakening labour laws and fundamental protections for workers will somehow create more jobs has been tried before and it simply hasn’t worked,” said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow.

Rallies, strike action and other forms of protest took place across the country, with activities in more than 200 different places reported.